A Critical Analysis of Beowulf

Heorot Hall has fallen into despair. A loathsome beast has ravaged the Danish town center. A confident hero comes and proclaims himself defender of the hall. Comparing components of this story with those countless archived children's tales stored away in our memories, we must ask ourselves if there is something more universal and more essential to the human condition here than meets the eye.

What is this hall that it draws the valiant warrior Beowulf across ancient feud lines to offer his mighty sword and impose his will upon any and all offenders? What does the hideous beast seek to destroy that is so genuinely valued by the Danes and the Geats alike?

Beowulf stands up as protector of something much deeper than the mere surface expectations of the reader for bravery and honor; he passionately fights to protect the deep solidarity that Heorot represents for humanity. Viewing Grendel's assault on this human solidarity, we must conclude that the value of the hall regarding international relations and the power of the human spirit is that for which Beowulf must so ardently fight.

Heorot Hall represents the togetherness and fellowship of all peoples; a true monument to the oneness of the human spirit. "Far and wide through the world, I have heard, / orders for work to adorn that wall stead / were sent to many peoples. And soon it stood there, / finished and ready, in full view, / the hall of halls…" (7). Hrothgar, the newly appointed ruler of the Danes, sent orders to the known world for the construction of a great hall. With great gusto, laborers from around the world came to "adorn the wallstead" and to place their mark as a remembrance of the fellowship that would be contained within the very walls of Heorot.

It is no great stretch of the imagination to therefore conclude that Beowulf, upon hearing of the threat against Heorot, took it upon himself to stage a defense against him who would destroy the very building that for the people represented the deep solidarity of the human spirit. The beast who would perpetrate such a vile act therefore cannot merely bare the image of some mindless ogre springing from our endless archive of childhood stories, but rather one who would seek to destroy the very foundation of the essence of togetherness.

"So Grendel ruled in defiance of right, / one against all, until the greatest house / in the world stood empty, a deserted wall stead/" (11). In these very words we see three aspects of the true nature of the beast which draw our attention to the fundamental character of his loathsome being. First, he rules "in defiance of right", as though the values by which the whole of humanity is governed were in fact the bane of his existence. Secondly, he stands one against all, clearly demonstrating his isolation and profound hatred for togetherness. "It harrowed him / to hear the din of the loud banquet / every day in the hall…" (9). The sound of men conversing and laughing together in community strikes deep into the chasm of the soul of the beast and urges him to rise up for the slaughter.

Thirdly, the hall stood empty and the wallstead which bore the countless marks of laborers from all over the world stood in shambles. We now see Grendel's purpose in assaulting the famed hall: to bring emptiness where there was once fullness and to divide what was once united. The emptiness of the hall is a sad contrast to the rejoicing and fellowship that took place the night before, and the high walls that once proudly bore the names of all of the nations no longer stand. For this very reason the Geats did not hesitate in sending their most valiant warrior to stand up in the face of the threat against the human spirit.
"Then news of Grendel, /
hard to ignore, reached me at home: /
sailors brought stories of the plight you suffer /
in this legendary hall, how it lies deserted, /
empty and useless once the evening light /
hides itself under heaven's dome. /
So every elder and experienced councilman /
among my people supported my resolve /
to come here to you…" (29).

Beowulf, defender of the people, takes up the charge against him who would break the wallstead of togetherness and destroy the international symbol of human unity.

Heorot is ravaged, the wallstead is deserted and there are no longer men filling the rafters with laughter and the strains of the harp. This wonderful monument to the united spirit of all men stands deserted and empty, while Grendel delights in his success in bringing destruction upon the world's fellowship center. The only glimmer of hope comes from the north, from the Geats, who have sent their most heroic warrior to wage war against the one who would commit such a crime against the human spirit.

Standing against the face of evil, Beowulf protects the united community of man and does not allow the division and emptiness that are born from the soul of the vile beast Grendel to ravage the halls of Heorot any longer. Resisting Grendel's savage attack on human solidarity, Beowulf takes up the defense of Heorot and the case of every nation whose name was so poignantly placed upon the high walls of this great hall of men.