1/28/20 Mateusz Meczkowski Period 8

Mat Meczkowski Myth Blog 1/28

Period 8

      “The Monster’s Mother”

We started today’s lesson with a discussion of the historic and symbolic significance of Hrunting, the sword given to Beowulf by Unferth after Beowulf defeated Grendel. Beowulf attempted to use this sword to kill Grendel’s mother, but found that the sword did not do any damage to her. Throughout our discussion, we came to several conclusions as to why this was and the symbolic significance of this. After some incomplete theories, we figured that the sword was not able to kill Grendel’s mother because the sword was an heirloom of Unferth’s family, and the sword was used by Unferth to kill his own brother. This fratricide essentially “cursed” the blade in a way, as Grendel and his mother were descendants of Cain who was cursed by God after himself committing fratricide out of jealousy. This symbolism of “evil can not defeat evil” is used all throughout “Beowulf”. The blade Beowulf used to kill Grendel’s mother was a massive blade crafted by the Giants. Once Beowulf used this blade to kill the beast, a heavenly ray of light shone in the dark underwater cave, a symbol that God was on Beowulf’s side. However, one question was raised by this, why was a blade forged by “heathens” and “pagans” blessed by God. The answer to this lies in the history of this blade. On it are carvings of a flood killing off the gluttonous giants, similar to the flood God used to cleanse the Earth of evil in the Bible. Essentially, the blade is a symbol of this purification and is used in Beowulf as a purifying force. This blade is also historically significant as it shows the clash of the “pagan” Norse culture that had spread to the Anglo-Saxxons and the rise of Christianity in Europe. As Ms. Fusaro explained, Beowulf was written when the Vatican decided it would attempt to Christianize Northern Europe, which was the last bastion of paganism in Europe. Originally, the Vatican sent missionaries, who were killed by the warrior tribes of Northumbria. The Vatican then responded with crusades, which were not very effective. The final measure taken by the Vatican were blockades intended to starve Northumbrian kings into conversion. “Beowulf” was yet another strategy to Christianize the Anglo-Saxxons as it depicted Christianity as the road to redemption, and that the only thing that would save the starving Anglo-Saxxons was God as he saved Beowulf from Grendel’s mother. The final part of the class was meant to highlight the humanity in Grendel’s. Kenton and I came to the conclusion that Grendel’s mom only wanted to avenge her son and to restore honor for her kin, a very human trait and one that was reflected in both Anglo-Saxxon and Christian cultures.

I felt that this lesson was very important as it not only gave more insight on the fight between Beowulf and Grednel’s mom, but also the historic backstory of “Beowulf”. Most of the symbolism in “Beowulf” displays the conflict between Anglo-Saxxon culture and Christian culture. The historical circumstances of the Christianization of Northern Europe were clearly a great influence on “Beowulf” and this history makes it clear why “Beowulf” seems to be more about selling Chritianity rather than simply telling a story.