While the classic battle between the forces of good and evil is a major theme of the medieval epic Beowulf, it is questionable whether these forces of good and evil are also dark and white as they appear. Scholars such as Herbert G. Wright assert that "the dragon, like the giant Grendel, is an enemy of humanity, and Beowulf's audience cannot have entertained any sympathy for either" (Wright, 4). However, other researchers, such as Andy Orchard, disagree with this statement and believe that there is "something deeply human about 'monsters'" (Orchard, 29). Although Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon are indeed portrayed as evil and violent enemies, parts of Beowulf may also lead the reader to believe that the "monsters" may not be so monstrous after all. In fact, the author of Beowulf represents the "monsters" of the poem with a certain moral ambivalence. This ambivalence ultimately evokes traces of sympathy in the reader for the fate of these "monster" characters, and blurs the fine line between good and evil in the poem. The first adversary Beowulf must face in the land of the Danes is Grendel, described verbatim. as “a demon out of hell… [a] sinister demon / haunting the steps, / marauding around the heath / and desolate marshes” (Beowulf, lines 100-104). The author also provides us with a moral description, explaining how Grendel is “ruthless… malignant by nature, he has never shown remorse” (lines 135-137). As we can see here, the author's physical and moral portrayal of Grendel is rather unforgiving. We also resent Grendel more once we learn that he has been wreaking havoc in Heorot Hall for twelve years, "inflicting constant cruelties on the people / horrendous injuries" (line 165). One might wonder... middle of paper. ...it’s a treasure, almost an obsession,” so can we really blame an animal that acts by instinct and intention? Although destructive, it was indeed man's greed and ignorance that brought the dragon's wrath upon Geatland. “The intruder who broke into the dragon's treasure / and angered him never intended to do so” (line 2215). “each antagonist has sowed terror in the other” (c. 2565). Even though the monsters in the poem are the antagonists of the poem, the author still manages to make the reader feel traces of sympathy towards them. Grendel's human portrayal, exile and misery touches readers' hearts and indeed shows a genuine side of the character, while Grendel's mother and the dragon are sympathetic mainly because they were instigated to be attacked for things they both had a deep affection for. Their actions make us wonder if they are as evil as they seem..