Beowulf – a double blog

Hwaet! The tale of Beowulf, the great hero, defeater of Grendel, shall now be told.
There are several dualities within the text that is Beowulf: one being between Beowulf in his youth and in old age, and the other being between Wealhtheow and Grendel’s mother. Beginning with the dualities of Beowulf, he was depicted as a strong, brave man in his youth. Not only had he defeated Grendel and his mother, but at an earlier time had partaken in a bet that had almost perilous results:

Time and again, foul things attacked me, lurking and stalking, but I lashed out, gave as good as I got with my sword. My flesh was not for feasting on…
…in the morning, mangled and sleeping the sleep of the sword, they slopped and floated like the oceans leavings. (45)

However, later in life and overcome with old age, it appeared that even his boasts had lost their some of their fire:

I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of these people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open. (86)

The fate of Beowulf was said best on page eighty-eight, “…that final day was the first time when Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory in battle."

The dualities of Wealhtheow and Grendel’s mother have a different story to tell. Wealhtheow is portrayed as an elegant, graceful, and “glittery” woman. One that speaks measured words and knows the role she must play as Hrothgar’s queen:

Wealhtheow came in, Hrothgar’s queen, observing the courtesies. Adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar…
…So the Helming woman went on her rounds, queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks… (46)

Grendel’s mother, however, is portrayed as vicious, angry, and almost beastly. This is a vast departure to the poise of Hrothgar’s queen.

…he pitched his killer opponent to the floor but she rose quickly and retaliated, grappled him tightly in her grim embrace. The sure-footed fighter felt daunted, the strongest of warriors stumbled and fell. So she pounced upon him and pulled out a broad, whetted knife: now she would avenge her only child. (67)