How does Grendel represent evil in 'Beowulf'?

The (christian) author of Beowulf tried to sanitize a more ancient story from the pagan times, and related grendel to Cain, the first murderer and enemy of God. read more

Grendel was thus assimilated to some ontological evil , only separated of the original sin by one generation. “he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. read more

In the tale (epic poem) of Beowulf, the evil that Grendel and his mother represent seems to be that of original sin. While the author tells the story of Grendel and later his mother, along with the history and brave exploits of this hero (a Geat) from a foreign land that has come to help the Danes in their time of dire need, the reader also learns of the origins of this evil. read more