Cain



 Background 

Cain is a biblical figure who was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. He was raised a farmer, but is notorious for the killing of his brother, Abel. Cain was envious of the favor god had showed his brother, so Cain murdered his brother and lied when confronted for doing so. He was then marked with "The Curse of Cain" which prevented him from being killed, and any ground he walked would become unfit for farming. He is linked to the origin of evil, greed, and violence.

 Strengths 


 * Muscle
 * Planning
 * Mental Fortitude

To kill one of kin is no easy act, both physically or mentally. Cain is told to take a stone and smash it into his unsuspecting brother's head by Satan. To wield a stone of this magnitude and fell Abel in one strike is impressive on its own, but the mental fortitude must also be present. When taking the life of another, the weight and gravity of such an action is contemplated in the killers thoughts, which tests their ability to commit an act.

 Weaknesses 


 * Temptation
 * Envy
 * Lack of Morality

As a dual-ended sword, one's strength can also be a weakness. Cain fell to the temptation of envy, and committed an unforgivable act. To further the severity, killing kin of oneself was considered to be the greatest sin of all Anglo-Saxon culture. This demonstrates a lack of morality as well as self-discipline. Furthermore, to lie of this shows his inability to take responsibility for his actions.

 Importance in Beowulf 

Cain is titled as an ancestor of Grendel, an antagonist and monster in Beowulf. This has led to discussions that have discourse over Grendel's nature, and if he was predestined to perform actions of evil. This goes to represent the "Nature vs. Nurture" argument in early writing, and if characters of apparent evil should be shown leniency or even sympathy in their deaths.

 Lines in the Story (Translated) 

"he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. For the killing of Abel the Eternal Lord had exacted a price: Cain got no good from committing that murder" (104-109)

"he had been forced down into fearful waters, the cold depths, after Cain had killed his father's son, felled his own brother with a sword. Branded an outlaw, marked by having murdered, he moved into the wilds, shunned company and joy. A nd from Cain there sprang misbegotten spirits, among them Grendel" (1260-1266)

 References 


 * 1) Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. Translated by Seamus Heaney. Norton, 2000. Beowulf
 * 2) The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Charlesworth, James (2010)
 * 3) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cain-biblical-figure, Kara Rogers
 * 4) The Legends of the Jews Vol I: The Ten Generations – The Birth of Cain, Ginzberg, Louis (1909)
 * 5) The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Brewer, E. Cobham (1978)