Beowulf Essay

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North Carolina State University *

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221

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Arts Humanities

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Oct 30, 2023

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The mead hall known as Heorot was “meant to be a wonder of the world forever; it would be his throne-room and there he would dispense his God-given goods to hound and old but not the common or people’s lives.” (Mich 7) The mead hall was for the Danes and was a place for King Hrothgar to entertain his people and soldiers with feasts and entertainment. People also gather their victories. It symbolizes the society of the Scandinavian people, the central place where people gather to socialize. It also indicates the wealth and the achievements of this Danish town. This mead hall could be compared to the dining halls of this generation. Grendel is a grim demon haunting the marches (Mich 9) because he is driven by his envy of the people around him. He inflicted constant cruelties on the people. “He took over the Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the treasure-seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord’s outcast.” The attacks from Grendel show how troubled the town was. “So that troubled time continues, woe that never stopped.” (Mich 15) This location was supposed to be a place of light and celebration but it turned into a place of darkness and sorrow. Grendel’s attacks have caused people to stop gathering at the mead hall and have caused a decrease in the king’s guards.“…with all the grief Grendel has caused and the havoc he has wreaked upon in Heorot…my household-guard are on the wane” (Mich 33) The primary function of the women is to serve mead to warriors who come to the mead-hall. They are depicted as attendants. “An attendant stood by with a decorated pitcher, pouring bright helpings of mead. (Mich 34) They seem to be assistants for the men. “The Helming woman went on her round, queenly and dignified mocked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troop…” (Mich 43)

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