The story of Beowulf takes place over a considerable period of time; then the characters within will develop and revolutionize. The juxtaposition of the monsters Beowulf encounters alongside the changes within himself illuminates the mastery of narrative that the Anglo-Saxons took. Grendel is a villain seeking recognition, Grendel's mother is consumed by the idea of ​​revenge, and the dragon is a beast that has felt safe for years, but a small threat has created a sense of danger. Beowulf's enemies reflect characteristics within themselves not only to express certain religious views, but also to demonstrate valuable insight into the mindset of this heroic leader. Grendel demonstrates evil acts of envy caused by isolation, making him a strong first enemy because his motivations are adequate, allowing the story to build. The source of Grendel's burning anger is illustrated by the poet, “he bore a hard grudge. It tore him / to hear the din of the noisy banquet / every day in the hall” (87-89). Grendel craves the joy and sense of community of the Danes. Beowulf has robust reasoning f...