Beowulf The Supernatural Quotes Page 3

Page (3 of 3) Quotes: 1 2 3

How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Line). We used Seamus Heaney's Beowulf: A New Verse Translation, published in 2000 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Quote #7

The water was infested
with all kinds of reptiles. There were writhing sea-dragons
and monsters slouching on slopes by the cliff,
serpents and wild things such as those that often
surface at dawn to roam the sail-road
and doom the voyage. (1425-1430)

It's interesting that the sea monsters that infest the lake where Grendel's mother lives are just thrown in for atmosphere. Beowulf doesn't really have to fight them and they don't pose a very important threat in the context of the plot. They do, however, make things feel more fantastic.

Quote #8

Meanwhile the sword
began to wilt into gory icicles,
to slather and thaw. It was a wonderful thing,
the way it all melted as ice melts
when the Father eases the fetters off the frost
and unravels the water-ropes. He who wields power
over time and tide: He is the true Lord. (1605-1611)

Grendel's mother's blood melts the sword that Beowulf uses to decapitate her. The destruction of a sword seems nothing less than "a wonderful thing" to the narrator, who puts a lot of trust in the sword and in the battle-prowess of warriors.

Quote #9

That huge cache, gold inherited
from an ancient race, was under a spell –
which meant no one was ever permitted
to enter the ring-hall unless God Himself,
mankind's Keeper, True King of Triumphs,
allowed some person pleasing to Him –
and in His eyes worthy – to open the hoard. (3051-3057)

Even a dragon's treasure hoard seems to be under a spell to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Once again, pagan and Christian elements blend; the "spell" that keeps men from reaching the gold is associated with God "allowing" someone to "open the hoard."

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