Batter My Heart is a very controversial poem about religion. ... These conceits were very frowned-upon in the conservative times when Donne was living, but today we can appreciate them for the ingenious comparisons they really are. Donne is writing this poem in desperation. He wants very badly to be forgiven of his sins by God. ... The poems have a universality that seems to live on throughout time. ...
The poem Beowulf suggests that Beowulf is the hero and Grendel is a villain, or the "bad guy."" ... He lives by a force that governs his will and gives rise to constant wickedness and sin. ... The fear and misery of the Danes is so great that it is told in stories: His (Hrothgar's) misery leaped the seas, was told and sung in all men's ears: How Grendel's hatred began, how the monster relished his savage war on the Danes, keeping the bloody feud alive, seeking no peace, offering no truce, accepting no settlement, no price in gold or land, and paying the living for one crime ...
