Within the first 370 lines of the epic poem
Beowulf, one of the protagonists of Beowulf's is described in great
detail. Grendel, a descendant of Cain, is awakened by the boisterous noise emanating
from Hrothgar's mead hall, Heorot.
Given that Grendel is
facing exile, deemed by God, for his relation to Cain, He considers himself a foe of
God's. This being said, Grendel cannot enact his revenge on God and finds that the only
way to hurt God is to take the lives of his
followers.
Grendel decides to take out his revenge by
murdering Hrothgar's people. Upon the first night of his revenge, Grendel takes the
lives of thirty Danes. He continues to enact his revenge against the Danes at Heorot
until Hrothgar decides to close the mead hall.
Basically,
hearing the people of Heorot irritates Grendel given the fact he cannot approach the
golden throne of God. Hrothgar built Heorot in order to praise God and the people at the
hall are celebrating God's power. Based upon the fact that Grendel cannot enter into the
light, because of his exile into darkness, he finds the only way to soothe his annoyance
is to attack the mead hall.
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