Experiencing relatively calm seas, the Geats “thanked God / for that easy crossing on a calm sea” (237-238) the moment they landed on sandy beaches. The men proceeded to inform King Hrothgar that they had come to fight against Grendel. At the feast that night Queen Wealhtheow was heard thanking “God for granting her wish / That a deliverer she could believe in would arrive / to ease their afflictions” (626-628). Beowulf “placed complete
trust/ in his strength of limb and the Lord’s favor” (669-670) as he began to patiently prepare for the arrival of Grendel. “Nor did the creature keep him waiting / but struck suddenly and started in” (738-749) and the duel began. Beowulf’s powerful grip on Grendel’s shoulder sent the beast into a maddening fury. Grendel let out “a God- cursed scream and strain of catastrophe / the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell- serf / keening his wound” (785-787). The monster fled to his lair where “hell claimed him there” (851).
The monk’s Christian inserts gave a purpose to the life of Grendel and also to the lives of those he terrorized. Grendel was no ordinary monster, he was a supernatural being. The men in this story, especially Beowulf, seem almost god- like. Every time one of these men of high esteem thanked God or gave God the credit for their strength and wealth, they became more mortal-they became easier to relate to. In the end, Beowulf will always be considered a classic.
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