Beawolf is the destruction of peace and order in a community or nation

Violence, in the world of Beowulf, not entirely carries with it its inherent negative effects but in whatsoever case it helps to bring out good hu part qualities. The power being described in the epic is the murder of inhabitants and the plundering of their possessions. The first negative effect of violence as depicted in Beowulf is the destruction of peace and order in a community or nation.In the epic, the key conflict is preventing or stopping criminal monsters from causing violence to the heros land and those of neighboring shores. The two key enemies ar Grendel and the Dragon.Grendel is a grim monstera descendent of Cain who lives in a murky pond with his m different and with elves and evil spirits (Beowulf retain I). Cain is referred to in the Bible as a man who murdered his own pal so that as a punishment God cursed the ground for him and that he was sent out as a wanderer in the kingdom (Genesis 3). During times of great celebration in the great Hall built by King Hr othgar, King of Denmark, Grendel suddenly polished the Kings guests. The attack brought terror and grief to the Danes and as a result the peace and joy they felt vanished.It is important to note that such merciless act was committed without any provocation from the Danes at all. One day Grendel just decided to come out of his lair and slaughtered his captives. The grief and terror felt by the Danes lasted for twelve huge eld as Grendel continued his cruelty (Beowulf Book I,II). The Dragon, on the other hand, was a monster with a fire belching out of its mouth who attacked Beowulfs kingdom in his old age(Beowulf Book XXXII). He, too, was described as remorseless, impregnable and hard to be subdued.In a Christian context, a Dragon symbolizes evil and oddment (Dragon 2007). But unlike Grendel, the Dragon attacked upon provocation. His anger was roused when his treasures was stolen from a burial mound. Out of revenge he attack the Geats who at this time were enjoying fifty years of peace and serenity brought about by the wise rule of King Beowulf (Beowulf Book XXXI). Another negative effect of violence as depicted in the epic is the threat it caused to the survival and maintenance of civilization or nation. Grendel slaughtered his victims and carry off some prisoners to his abode.Book II describes his assault this way unhallowed wight, grim and greedy, he grasped betimes, wrathful, reckless, from resting-places, thirty of the thanes, and thence he rushed fain of his fell spoil, faring homeward (Beowulf Book II). Grendel is hard to be defeated because according to the epic no implement can destroy him. The Dragon, on the other hand, would burn homes with fire (Beowulf Book XXXII). Both monsters would make their assault at night, a time when the people are supposed to be resting and accordingly slightly defenseless.In the cover of darkness both fearsome creatures can carry on their slaughter swiftly. The Dragon stood unopposed as the people could not get ne ar him due to the flames from his mouth (Beowulf Book XXXII). In such a hopeless situation and without any intervention, the inhabitants will be eventually wiped out. Violence also breeds other violence. When Beowulf killed Grendel, Grendels mother was consumed with fury and tried to avenge his death. It does not matter to her if Grendel was the one at fault.In her screwed reasoning, Grendel was his son and therefore needs to be avenged. Prior to his death, Grendels mother was not in any way physically involved with the slaughter. However, upon his death, Grendels mother became as ruthless as his son. Without any further delay, Grendels mother went out to the Hall hoping to kill the criminal who put in his son to eternal sleep. However Beowulf was not round so that angrily she took a Danish nobleman and Grendels paw and carried them with her back to her home( Beowulf Book XIX ) .Upon hearing of this incident, Beowulf run after her and with a steel ended her life. In another sense we can say that the death of Grendel, Grendels mother and the Dragon at the hands of Beowulf was also a function of violence. However, upon careful analysis, such violence can be considered necessary to end the greater violence committed by the three aggressors. In the epic, violence only ended at the death of the three. If left alive, there is a big possibility that their violence will continue owing to their untamed evil natures.Although violence is a wicked thing to commit and should be avoided at all represent, but if present it helps to bring out the heroic trait of an idiosyncratic. The hero is the man of the hour who stops and controls the spread of violence. While the enemy is described as evil and ruthless, the hero is describes a s a man possessing a good, friendly and courageous heart. Beowulf was such a man. He was a prince who possessed not only these good human traits but also endowed with great specialization that equals, if not surpassed, the aggressors.Even lo ng before he came to the aid of King Hrothgar, he had already proven his fighting prowess when he killed the sea-monsters that plied the sea he swam in on his way to help the Finns in getting rid of their enemies(Beowulf Book I).. He showed his compassionate heart when hearing of Grendels cruelty in Hrothgars kingdom he sailed to Denmark without waiting any pleas of help from the Danish king ( Beowulf Book III). Unarmed and single-handedly he engaged Grendel in mortal assail (Beowulf Book XI).Grendel was surprised at the firm grip of Beowulf and according to him he had not yet ever encountered such a strong man in his lifetime. Beowulf managed to tear Grendels arm out of his shoulder. The awful monster had lived to feel pain in his body, a huge appall in his shoulder was exposed, his sinews sprang apart, and his bone-locks broke). This wound had mortally wounded Grendel so that he later died in his lair. The Dragon, o the other hand, was challenged by Beowulf in his den. The two s truggled against each other until Beowulf killed him with the sword).Unfortunately Beowulf, old at this time, was also wounded and eventually died (Beowulf Book XXII). It is important to note that as a hero Beowulf fought against evil forces from his youth until his old age. The epic delivers a strong message that preventing and controlling violence is a never-ending struggle. When Grendels violence ended, another one arose in the hands of the Dragon. In the face of violence, the loyalty of an individual is exposed. During Beowulfs fight with the Dragon, the struggle became fearful to watch so that Beowulfs men flee in fright.Only Wiglaf remained to help his aging monarch. Even at the cost of his life, Wiglaf help Beowulf slay the fiery Dragon (Beowulf Book XXXVI). His loyalty and gallantry was later rewarded when before Beowulf died he proclaimed Wiglaf as his successor to the throne of Geatland (Beowulf Book XXXVIII). This last gesture of Beowulf is a declaration that loyalty in t he face of crisis is to be honored. It is possible that without Wiglaf, Beowulf, wounded and old as he was, would have failed to put an end to the Dragons life. The Dragon then will continue to terrorize the Geats.Wiglafs loyalty was crucial in attaining the victory of that climatic battle. Beowulf was apprised that with Wiglaf the struggle against violence will be carried on long after his death. To the eyes of the Geats, Wiglaf is a source of hope for the survival and maintenance of Geatland. On the other hand, those who deserted Beowulf were reproached and reaped nothing but shame. WORKS CITED Dragon. Microsoft Encarta 2007 DVD. Redmond, WA Microsoft Corporation, 2006. Genesis. The Holy Bible. Korea Thomas Nelson, Inc. , 1984.