Good Shall Conquer Evil - Beowulf

In most works of literature and some works of art, there are both evil characters as well as good ones. The evil characters are generally slain by the "good guys", and justice is restored. However, the portrayal of evil characters often varies. Additionally, such works are usually told through the good character's point of view. Beowulf, Hell, the first of the three books of "The Divine Comedy", "Equitan" from The Lais of Marie de France, and "Lectern in the Form of an Eagle" each harbor evil characters. However, the portrayals of the characters, as well as their motives for committing their crimes vary.

That which is evil is often depicted as ugly. Grendel, from Beowulf, is described has talons instead of hands (20). He is depicted as "the shadowstalker" (19), "God-cursed" (19), and "the captain of evil" (20). Further, "his glee was demonic, picturing the mayhem" (20). In Hell, each horrifying feature of Satan is described with meticulous detail, "and marvel 'twas, out-marvelling a million, when I beheld three faces in his head...each mouth devoured a sinner clenched within, frayed by fangs"(286). The brass "Lectern in the Form of an Eagle" depicts an enormous eagle with a miniscule, ugly dragon in the eagle's talons. The dragon's wings are crushed beneath the eagle's claws. It has wide eyes, a gaping mouth, and an arched back. It appears to be staring up at the eagle with a look of fury upon its face. Interestingly, in "Equitan", both Equitan and the seneschal's wife are attractive. The wife is "a lady of fine breeding and extremely beautiful with a noble body and good bearing" (56). However, through the mental descriptions of the characters, it is clear that something is amiss with the king's mentality, "Never, except in times of war, would the king have forsaken his hunting, his pleasures or his river sports, whatever the need might have been"(56). Good kings are loyal to their people, not busy hunting or experiencing pleasures. Clearly, evil characters are portrayed as ugly, either physically or mentally.