How is Grendel defeated in 'Beowulf'?

Adding that there are many theories about why Beowulf uses different means to defeat Grendel and his mother. A theory I heard in school long ago was that Grendel and his mother cannot be defeated by man-made weapons due to their monstrous nature, their kinship to Cain. read more

In a famous English epic poem, Beowulf defeats Grendel by waiting for him in the great hall of King Hrothgar, grappling with him, and using his great strength to rip one of Grendel's arms and shoulders from his body. read more

He rips off his arm and places it in Herot. Grendel runs home and laters dies in his lair but his mother goes back to Herot to kill and gets away until Beowulf goes to her lair and cuts off her head. He does find Grendel, however he is already dead by that point. read more

Beowulf defeats Grendel with his bare hands, while Grendel’s mother requires a sword made by giants that Beowulf finds in their supernatural territory, their underwater cave. Grendel’s mother is commonly described as weaker but more knowledgeable about warfare than her son. read more