There are three important monsters in the text of Beowulf, Grendel, his mother and the dragon. While the dragon proves to be Beowulf's deadliest enemy, Grendel and his mother do not simply pose physical threats to Germanic society; their roles in Beowulf are multiple. They challenge perceptions of heroism, a feeling of perfection and unparalleled superiority. In addition, they allow the reader to reconsider the gender constructions defended in the text; one can't help but feel that the threat these monsters pose is directed at the widespread flaws in Beowulf's world. Furthermore, what makes these monsters is not their physical appearance; that’s what they embody. Both Grendel and his mother have human qualities, but their monstrous appearance stems from what their features and mannerisms represent. The challenge they pose to societal paradigms makes them far more terrifying to our heroes than any scaly flesh or clawed hand. These monsters provide “the most authoritative general critique […] of the structure and conduct of the poem.” Their presence provides a contrast and critique of courageous society (Heaney 103). Grendel's emergence is sudden and immediately the reader is presented with the image of a "demon from hell" brought about by the construction of Heorot. Indeed, the poet notes that the monster had long “nurtured a bitter grievance,” forced to listen to the noise and din emitted by the mead hall. Heorot himself feels a sense of foreboding, although he is "meant to be a wonder of the world forever", the poet admits that he was "simply waiting for a barbarous fire" (Heaney 69, 82). Is the poet subtly suggesting that the construction of Heorot is not a symbol of wonder but rather a middle of paper ......dants of Cain. Therefore, what they represent is the fusion of the monster and the human, reflecting the monstrous characteristics of society. It is Grendel who is provoked, it is his mother who is wronged, and yet it is Beowulf who considers it his right to defend himself against the “swamp witch” and her son. The poet very subtly reveals the faults of this society, commenting on the social structure and gender confinements that are maintained there. By fighting the monsters, Beowulf displays the immoral elements of his world and humanity. The role of the creatures in the text is to show how monster fighters can become monsters in their own right. The poet ultimately demonstrates that humans and heroes are not free from flaws simply because they are not monsters. Indeed, this presumptive manner often highlights the monstrous method of our heroes..