Note the fact that Beowulf was able to kill Grendel with his bare hands while he needed full armour to defeat Grendels mother. The earth shakes as the two meet, the dragon clearly gaining early advantage as Beowulf's shield provides little protection, and his sword chips against the hide of the reptile, reminiscent of the failure of Hrunting against Grendel's mother. What method of killing was mostly common at the concentration camps? ironic, no one was able to harm her only monster sword. Beowulf spake, Ecgtheows son: Recall now, oh, famous kinsman of Healfdene, Prince very prudent, now to part I am ready, The two begin to wrestle, but neither gains the upper hand in this combat. In a dark night, Beowulf lies down to wait for the monster in the mead-hall. Grendel's mother lives in a cave beneath what is called a mere. Beowulfs thirst for vengeance against Grendels mother, who is herself avenging a killing perpetrated by Beowulf, underlines that the heroic code entails an unending cycle of bloodshed. Explain what type of irony this event exemplifies. Light enters the murky water then. In the battle with Grendel it seems everything is on Beowulfs terms. She reaches for him, but his armor protects him. 2. What is the significance of the brilliant light that suddenly shines once Beowulf kills Grendel's mother? As soon as he does that, the lake becomes stained with blood. He tries to cut her, but his sword can't cut her. Not affiliated with Harvard College. She enters the poem as an avenger (l.1258), seeking redress for the death of her son at Beowulfs hands. Grendel's mother moves to kill him with her knife, but Beowulf's armor protects him. She is killed by her own sword. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil: What has Beowulf been doing since his battle with Grendels mother? How is Beowulfs method of killing Grendels mother ironic? For this reason, some readers have seen Grendels mother as an embodiment of ancient Northern European societys tendency toward unending blood-feuds. Beowulf looks around and sees dead For a while, Grendel begins to tear the door with his big hand. A mere is a 12th Century term for a standing body of water. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL TEXT OF THE PASSAGE. Beowulf spies a large sword nearby. He burns her alive. He tries to hit her with his sword, Unferth's Hrunting, but it fails to pierce her skin. Jane Chance claims that Grendels mother is actually a sort of anti-queen, an inversion of the peace-weaver and ides (Hennequin 503-4). The Old English term can mean a lake, but given the amount of time it takes Beowulf to swim to the cave at the bottom, the usage meaning Grendel's mother returns the next night to seek vengeance. Grendel persists to attack the Hall every night for twelve years, killing its inhabitants and making the exceptional mead-hall dysfunctional. How does Beowulf finally kill Grendel's mother? Beowulf is still angry, however, so he also beheads Grendel, who lies dead in the cave. Beowulf catches sight on her and prepares himself to slay her with his sword, and kill miraculous sword even though there are many great treasures around. Why is this ironic? He manages to grab it, and in one mighty blow, he beheads Grendel's mother. Chapter 23: Beowulfs Fight With Grendels Mother Lyrics. irony this event exemplifies and explain your answer. best answer. She tries to kill him with a dagger, but Beowulf's armor protects him this time. Grendels mother, like her son, is a mysterious humanoid creature. Attacking Herot. The fight took place in his territory and he had the upper hand throughout he whole battle. Hrothgar says he must depend on Beowulf a second time, and offers him treasure to kill Grendel's mother and end the feud. As a loyal lord, it's Hrothgar's obligation to avenge Aeschere's death. Used a huge sword to cut her neck: What might the brilliant light symbolize? Isolating herself . Character Analysis Grendel's Mother Grendel's mother (sometimes called his "dam") is not as huge or as powerful as the son, but she is motivated by revenge. He manages to grab it, and in one mighty blow, he beheads Grendel's mother.