Beowulf Journal 4

In the novel, Grendel by John Gardner, the character Grendel’s philosophical views are altered as each segment of the novel passes. Grendel’s thoughts and actions are influenced by various elements including the Shaper, the Dragon, as well as the general nature of humans and animals. Grendel’s confusion and misunderstanding of his surroundings have a strong effect on him; for example, his interaction with the ram, bull, and goat. In each instance, Grendel is rather intrigued yet misguided into an angry expression. With reference to the ram, Grendel attempts to show dominance, which occurred in the introductions of the novel, by yelling at the animal, but the ram does not flinch or move. In direct opposition, when Grendel displays dominance over the goat, during the climactic section of the novel, the goat again did not respond. Grendel then kills the animal rather than leaving it alone as he did with the ram. This shows a sharp change in philosophical views, which influence Grendel’s actions. Throughout the novel, Gardner displays philosophical theories that Grendel attempts to comprehend and claim his own, which strongly affects his judgment and personal attachments.
During the introductory paragraphs of Gardner’s novel which range through the first four chapters, Grendel is in the midst of confusion and question on the essence of his being. Grendel soon learns of a human population near his lair, and embarks on a “visit.” Grendel, after multiple encounters with the Danes, understands that his presence, when compared to that of humans, is grotesque and Satan-like; Grendel is a monster who is a direct social outcast. Grendel’s feeling of being a social outcast sparks his interest in the humans further. Grendel is desperate to fit in by any means necessary. His distance and lack of affinity with the humans enrages yet intrigues Grendel. He receives his chance for social privileges once the old, wise Shaper arrives. As the Shaper, the first philosophical influence on Grendel appears in the novel, Grendel’s curiosity increases. He begins to listen to the Shaper’s vivid yet false depictions of life and death, good and evil, war and peace. The Sharper influences Grendel by helping him believe in the rituals and culture of the Danes, which in turn Grendel marks as his own.
Grendel, once introduced to the Dragon in chapter five, finds another example of philosophical interest. The Dragon, in his ramblings that are connected to those of Alfred Whitehead, confuses the weak-minded Grendel. Whitehead states natural existence is best understood in processes rather than things. This statement is mirrored when the Dragon continues his swift speech on the interconnection of space and time; at this moment, the Dragon introduces Grendel to the nihilism philosophy. Grendel nihilistic philosophy, where he feels nothing in the universe has meaning, is contrasting philosophical views and mirrors his decision to exist in either the realm of good or evil. Ending up on the nihilistic side with the Dragon, Grendel is no longer influenced by the Shaper and sees destruction and death fit for the Danes.
Grendel’s evolution from solipsism to nihilism was one with great trial and error. Grendel’s actions are conversions are connected to the zodiac signs as well as the seasonal changes, which are documented within the novel. In conclusion, Grendel’s behavior and philosophical views drastically changed within the novel, but the finally changed occurred as Grendel is defeated by Beowulf. Grendel, in a finally statement before his plunge, states that he wishes the same doom upon the animals as he received. A secondary meaning to this is the sense Grendel receives. He has noticed others in a human way rather than a mechanical way. He has broken his cycle of repetitive killing and thus hopes the animals become free-willed rather than followers.