To begin with, Grendel was not decapitated. Beowulf cut off Grendel's claw, arm, and shoulder forcing Grendel to bleed to death. You can conclude that the sword was somehow connected with Grendel and strength. Only the strongest most mighty of men,with the assistance of the great sword, would be able to slew the beast.And when the beast is dead will the sword dissolve.
Jacob Saunders- It was stated plainly within the text that Grendel bewitched all weapons that they would be ineffective against him. Even as Beowulf fought Grendel, his mighty men attempted to stab Grendel with their weapons and it was an attempt in vain. The only thing that was effective was the strength of Beowulf's hands wrapped around Grendel. Therefore, it's understood that Grendel's power would cause a sword to dissolve. In another context, this might be imagery of the fact that this battle is symbolic of a spiritual one and thus all physical weapons are useless, success is based on a man's strength in God when it comes to overcoming great evil.
I believe Grendel's body was decomposing in a way. Maybe the acids in the demon was boiling and eating away at his body. Thats why the sword started to dissolve when Beowulf decapitated him. Or it can also be the doing of the giant's sword that Beowulf had.
To begin with, Grendel was not decapitated. Beowulf cut off Grendel's claw, arm, and shoulder forcing Grendel to bleed to death. You can conclude that the sword was somehow connected with Grendel and strength. Only the strongest most mighty of men,with the assistance of the great sword, would be able to slew the beast.And when the beast is dead will the sword dissolve.
ReplyDeleteJacob Saunders- It was stated plainly within the text that Grendel bewitched all weapons that they would be ineffective against him. Even as Beowulf fought Grendel, his mighty men attempted to stab Grendel with their weapons and it was an attempt in vain. The only thing that was effective was the strength of Beowulf's hands wrapped around Grendel. Therefore, it's understood that Grendel's power would cause a sword to dissolve. In another context, this might be imagery of the fact that this battle is symbolic of a spiritual one and thus all physical weapons are useless, success is based on a man's strength in God when it comes to overcoming great evil.
ReplyDeleteI believe Grendel's body was decomposing in a way. Maybe the acids in the demon was boiling and eating away at his body. Thats why the sword started to dissolve when Beowulf decapitated him. Or it can also be the doing of the giant's sword that Beowulf had.
ReplyDelete