Beowulf's Biblical Illusions

   I found it so interesting that the poet had compared Grendel to Cain by tracing back Grendel's origins to be of kin to Cain and Abel. This sparked my fascination in being able to picture the personality and characteristics of Grendel more clearly, having been familiar with Cain and Abel's story from Genesis.
   Grendel was an outcast to society. He lived with his mother, and was pushed away from any normalcy there was to be found. Cain, like Grendel, was an outcast in his society after murdering his own brother out of jealousy. Both characters were forced to always be looking upon all the "fun," so to speak, from the outside because of their terrible acts and characteristics.
   But why does the poet go so far as to trace back Grendel's origins, and mention them in the poem? Is it because of the religious moral standards the author is attempting to uphold? Grendel represents all that is "wrong" in society, and all that should therefore be condemned when accepting the actions and lifestyle of the "good" (God being all that is good in Cain and Abel's story and Heorot being the "good" man in Beowulf). Grendel was considered a "hellish enemy," as Cain was considered abhorrent for his sickening act. It serves as a foreshadow that Grendel is predestined to endure a treacherous fate at the hand of a man who was of good nature.
   As mentioned in class, Beowulf is littered with biblical references like this one to appeal to the religious aspect of the story. The comparison of Cain and Grendel shines light on the moral values to be upheld at this time. One of the worst sins that man could commit would be to murder one of their own. Grendel's fate was intended to show the reader the dangers that can occur when one falls from god-like behavior and commits sins for their own glory and satisfaction.