Before Beowulf goes into battle with Grendel’s mother, he tells Hrothgar the importance of violent retaliation:
It is always better

to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.

For every one of us, living in this world

means waiting for our end. Let whoever can
win glory before death. When a warrior is gone,

that will be his best and only bulwark. (1384-89).

Write an essay in which you discuss the poem’s attitude towards vengeance, violence, and retaliation.. How do these things relate to the social/heroic code of the time being described? What is the poet’s attitude towards these things, especially at the end of the poem?

Suggested length: approx.4 pages, double-spaced. Follow the format specified on “Format for Written Assignments.” Review the section “Some Notes on Writing Response Papers.” In particular, remember to include textual evidence (citations) using MLA standards.

Category: Essays