e fact that any man could become such a beast. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar warns him of such a fate though a tale of the warrior Heremod. When a mighty warrior kills, he loses a fraction of his humanity. The more he kills, the more he develops a killer instinct. Unless he keeps this instinct in check and reminds himself that he fights and kills for a cause, he becomes a monster. In the case of Heremod, “he grew great not for their joy, but for their slaughter, for the destruction of Danish people” (49). Hrothgar knows a mighty warrior such as Beowulf will take the lives of many in his time, and urges him to be mindful of his tale. This knowledge, not the defeat of Grendel and his mother, is Beowulf’s true victory.One would argue that Beowulf was noble and wise enough to realize such a lesson on his own. However, there are several passages in the text where Beowulf bears a resemblance to not only Grendel, but Heremod as well. Before his first meeting with Grendel, the hero is “lying awake for the fierce foe, with heart swollen in anger . . .” (36). In the following paragraph, Grendel himself is described as “driven by evil desire, swollen with rage . . .” (36). Finally, in Hrothgar’s tale, “with swollen heart he [Heremod] killed his table-companions . . .” (49). This is not mere coincidence, but proof that Beowulf has that bloodlust and his humanity is endangered. However, through the wise words of Hrothgar, he is saved. The next great foe Beowulf faces poses a much greater threat to Beowulf in a spiritual sense. Once again, he faces another heartless foe with no regard for human life. When the worm attacked, it would “leave nothing alive” (57). With its “cruel malice”, it “hated and hurt the people of the Geats” (57). Like Grendel, slaughter is its passion. However, the dragon represents the sin o...
