Beowulf, Line 703

Then out of the night, Came the shadow-stalker, stealthy and swift. Beowulf, line 703 The world experienced by the people of the past was dark. There was no electricity during the time periods of the literature we have read, so every night their world became dark and frightening. Occasionally, then, the literature turns to look at ghosts and monsters that haunt these lands. Discuss the symbolism of the ghost in Atsumori and of at least one of the three monsters (Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon) in Beowulf. These supernatural creatures are the antagonists, so they will represent something the culture (in the person of the protagonist) fears or hates. What do you feel this fear or hatred is of? You may also want to include a discussion of the different attitude toward the supernatural being that is shown in these two works, as a way of showing how the cultures differ.