ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapters I have considered to some extent the place of animals in Beowulf and the Guthlac narratives, and their functions with respect to the humans in the texts. The so-called ‘sea-beasts’ in the mere seem to enhance Grendel's mother's monstrosity, while Beowulf's ability to kill while swimming serves to demonstrate his power and masculinity. In this chapter on ‘animal natures’ I dig deeper into Anglo-Saxon representations of animals, focusing on several of the Exeter Book riddles in the context of the formulaic ‘beasts of battle’ scenes in Elene, Exodus, and Genesis A.
