The Problematic Nature of Defining Grendel's Mother in 'Beowulf'

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book The Problematic Nature of Defining Grendel's Mother in 'Beowulf' by Giulia Hatton, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Giulia Hatton ISBN: 9783656904069
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: February 24, 2015
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Giulia Hatton
ISBN: 9783656904069
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: February 24, 2015
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, Free University of Berlin (Institut für Englische Philologie), language: English, abstract: The problematic nature of defining what exactly Grendel's mother is in 'Beowulf' has left little doubt that she has been even further removed from humanness than her son. The problem seems to lie in the difference between modern conceptions of what distinguishes a 'monster' from a 'human' and the Anglo-Saxon understanding of these terms. A possible explanation for this could be that there has been relatively little exploration of this female figure as an entity independent of her son, and what interest there has been has tended to classify her as a mere-monster, or quite literally, a mere monster. Even in Edward Irving's rereading of 'Beowulf', although he prudently observes that 'the feminist movement has given us the power to open our eyes' to the phenomenon of the lack of critical attention given to Grendel's mother, he still cannot bring himself to view Grendel's mother as anything other than a monster. In this essay I will attempt to turn the reader's attention to this female character not as a monster, but as a warrior-woman, one who consciously violates the customs and rituals observed by peace-making women in Germanic society.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, Free University of Berlin (Institut für Englische Philologie), language: English, abstract: The problematic nature of defining what exactly Grendel's mother is in 'Beowulf' has left little doubt that she has been even further removed from humanness than her son. The problem seems to lie in the difference between modern conceptions of what distinguishes a 'monster' from a 'human' and the Anglo-Saxon understanding of these terms. A possible explanation for this could be that there has been relatively little exploration of this female figure as an entity independent of her son, and what interest there has been has tended to classify her as a mere-monster, or quite literally, a mere monster. Even in Edward Irving's rereading of 'Beowulf', although he prudently observes that 'the feminist movement has given us the power to open our eyes' to the phenomenon of the lack of critical attention given to Grendel's mother, he still cannot bring himself to view Grendel's mother as anything other than a monster. In this essay I will attempt to turn the reader's attention to this female character not as a monster, but as a warrior-woman, one who consciously violates the customs and rituals observed by peace-making women in Germanic society.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Können in Zeiten der Globalisierung die Staaten noch autonome Politik betreiben? by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Gilbert Stuarts Portraitdarstellung von George Washington by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Historische Stadtentwicklung by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Gegenüberstellung von Lagerarten by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Ein Vergleich der Industrialisierungsprozesse in Deutschland und Taiwan: Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Konvergenz von Krylov-Verfahren für Eigenwertprobleme by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Heilpädagogische Diagnostik by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Trainingssteuerung im Fußball by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Anti-Corruption Initiatives for South Korean Water Management by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Senioren und ihre sozialen Netzwerke in Service-Wohnanlagen by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Die Geschichte der öffentlichen Kleinkindererziehung in Deutschland by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Fremdenfeindlichkeit in Deutschland. Ursachen und Prävention im schulischen Kontext by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Michel Foucault: Die Disziplinargesellschaft by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Die Bedeutung des Gallischen Krieges für Caesars politische Karriere by Giulia Hatton
Cover of the book Vergleich rechts- und linksextremer Parteien by Giulia Hatton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy