How does Grendel represent evil in Beowulf?

In the Old English poem Beowulf, Grendel is widely interpreted as the embodiment of physical and moral evil. As a descendant of the biblical Cain, he is depicted as an outcast doomed to wander the earth, representing a fundamental opposition to human community and civilization.123

Grendel’s nature as an evil force is characterized by his senseless violence and his role as a predator of humanity; for 12 years, he terrorized King Hrothgar’s hall, Heorot, by devouring warriors. Many scholars view Grendel as a symbol of the moral evil associated with heathenism, contrasting with the emerging Christian values reflected in the poem. Consequently, Beowulf’s struggle against Grendel is often interpreted as an allegory in which the hero acts as a champion of goodness and light, defending the community against the forces of darkness.12