An heroic adventure set to ancient poetry
This account of the fight between Grendel and Beowulf resembles an ancient European version of a “Six O'clock News” story. With
no magic and no super-strength of the hero, it differs from common fiction of the time.
One thing that’s very strange is the
description of Beowulf’s opponent: more monstrous than human-like. Grendel never speaks and does not fight with any human weapon.
His hide is impervious to human weapons, but he's subject to death, even by an accident.
Beowulf defeats the monster Grendel
Grendel is a fierce destroyer who kills people in the night by sneaking up on them and attacking
them in their sleep. Not only does he kill people but he eats at least some of his victims. He is described as larger than a
man. But there's something different about Grendel: He's not really a man or at least he's an extremely misshapen man.
The
first battle involves a number of men who were loyal to Beowulf, loyal to the point of risking their lives for him. They sleep
in the drinking hall where Grendel had previously attacked and killed people in the night. The monster returns and kills one man before
Beowulf confronts it. The brave man jumps onto or behind (the story has few specifics) Grendel and holds on tightly as
the monster crashes
around the room. Chairs are thrown everywhere and nothing seems undamaged except the ceiling. But between
the beams of the ceiling something unexpected decides the battle's outcome.
Somehow the creature gets its arm and/or
claw torn off. The account does not say that Beowulf tore off Grendel's arm. But Grendel runs off bleeding and when the
king (not Beowulf) of the land arrives, he sees the creature's arm (or claw), stuck on or near the ceiling.