Final answer:
In the epic poem Beowulf, Grendel is directly related to Cain, the biblical figure known for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel. Grendel's ancestry establishes him as a cursed descendant, perpetuating the themes of inherent evil and estrangement from the righteous community depicted in the poem. This connection serves to enhance the poem's moral landscape and its intertwining of Christian and ancient warrior cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : a
In the epic poem Beowulf, the monster Grendel is described as being descended from Cain, the first murderer according to the Hebrew Bible. The poem contains many allusions to biblical narratives, and one of the most significant is the link between Grendel and Cain. This is mentioned early in the text, where the author explicitly connects Grendel's lineage to that of Cain, who committed the first act of murder by killing his brother Abel (GE 4:2-8). In connecting Grendel to Cain, the poem draws a parallel between the monster's malevolence and the original sin of murder in Judeo-Christian teaching.
The story of Cain and Abel serves as an allegory of sin and fratricide that echoes through the ages, representing the inherent evil present in Grendel. Throughout Beowulf, Grendel is depicted as the antithesis of the good and noble society represented by the Danes. By tracing Grendel's ancestry back to Cain, the poet suggests that Grendel's evil is ancient and inherent. Moreover, this ancestry serves to amplify Grendel's status as an outsider and a being cursed by God, which adds to the themes of good versus evil prevailing in the poem.