Final answer:
Light and dark motifs in 'Beowulf' contrast good and evil, with light representing safety and the divine, while darkness symbolizes danger and evil. The hero Beowulf is associated with light and safety, opposing Grendel who embodies darkness and malevolence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The light and dark motifs in Beowulf are frequently used to contrast good and evil, safety and danger, and the known and unknown aspects of the world. Light often represents safety, hope, and the divine, whereas darkness frequently symbolizes danger, evil, and the mysterious. For instance, Grendel, the monstrous antagonist, is associated with darkness and is said to dwell in a dark, foreboding lair. Conversely, Beowulf himself is often connected with light, symbolizing his role as the hero who combats the darkness that Grendel represents. The motif extends to the settings of the poem, with the mead hall Heorot portrayed as a place of light and joy, in stark contrast to the gloomy and perilous landscapes that surround it.