Grendel's mother is on the warpath!

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.” 

  - William Congreve

This may not be the most popular opinion, but I feel a bit sorry for Grendel's mother. Not only has she been condemned to a life of solitude and misery because of the wrongdoings of her ancestors but now her son has been killed.  Granted Grendel wasn't a complete angel, but as Sarah mentioned in class, the men he murdered were also murderers so it's a bit of a gray area.

I am not yet a mother but I can only imagine the anguish and fury Grendel's mother would feel at the loss of her son. The need for revenge would be immense in time of sorrow and rage. I'm not condoning her killing everyone in her anguish, but I can see how the loss she feels could lead to those thoughts.  But honestly, can you really blame her?  The very men who are free of curses in their favor from God and get to live their lives freely have killed her son, her only companion. Of all the punishments she has endured, thanks to Cain, this is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.  Even the king recognizes why she attacked his men when he explains, “She avenged that feud / in which you killed Grendel...a mighty evil marauder who means to avenger / her kin...” (Liuzza 135, 1334-1340).

Furthermore, it's really a cycle of revenge that is occurring: Cain kills Abel, God avenges his death by banishing his kin, Grendel avenges his banishment by killing God’s merry men, Beowulf avenges the death of the men by killing Grendel, Grendel’s mother avenges his death by killing the king's counsel and then Beowulf is called upon to avenge that death by killing Grendel’s mother.  While receiving instructions from the king, Beowulf exclaims, “Sorrow not, wise one!  It is always better / to avenge one’s friend than to mourn overmuch” (Liuzza 138-139, 1384-1385).  If this is what is expected during this time period, perhaps Grendel's mother is simply living up to societal expectations in her bloodthirsty quest.  Thoughts?

Sources:

1. http://www.dailywritingtips.com/16-misquoted-quotations/

2. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/mediaviewer/rm2676857088

3. https://movinglightreviews.wordpress.com/tag/beowulf/
4. Liuzza, R. M. Beowulf. 2nd ed. Buffalo: Broadview, 2013. Print.