Monster Monday: Grendel's Mom

In a creeptastic nod to Mother’s Day this month, we’ll feature four monstrous “moms” – fierce protectors of their kin, mama bears of epic proportions.

Perhaps none rank more notorious than Grendel’s mother, one of three primary antagonists in the story of Beowulf.

For more than a thousand years, Beowulf  has been part of the foundation on which all classic English literature is built. Filled with monsters and heroes, including the fiercely strong Beowolf, this anonymously authored text contains a number of archetypal friends and foes.

In fact, Grendel’s mother – who is never actually named – is often cited as one of English literature’s most famous monsters. She’s certainly one heck of a Mama bear.

When Grendel is slain by Beowulf, his mother attacks the mead Hall Heorot to avenge his death. Of course, Beowolf is tasked with destroying her and ventures into the snake-infested waters of her lake-based home, Grendel’s Mere. She attacks Beowulf, drags him into her lair and an epic battle ensues.

This fierce, seriously ticked-off Mom is about to avenge her son’s death when Beowulf spots a sword at the Mere. (Convenient? Perhaps!) He uses it to decapitate Grendel’s Mom, and then return to the water’s surface  -  just in time to save the day, of course.