Beowulf Journal 6

Grendel, a novel by John Gardner, is a parody of the epic poem Beowulf. In the epic Beowulf, there is heavy emphasis on Anglo-Saxon society and culture; however, in Grendel, this culture is mocked and ridiculed. One major point of ridicule is the theory and need of a hero. Within Beowulf, heroism is defined in the hero Beowulf, but Grendel mocks and ridicules those who embody traits of heroism. Most notably, Unferth is defined as an Anglo-Saxon hero, but the destructive monster Grendel humiliates Unferth. Grendel first humiliates the hero Unferth by throwing apples at him rather than starting a physical battle, but as Unferth is defeated, he tracks Grendel’s location. After a conversation with Grendel in his lair in which Unferth shows his heroic ways, Grendel spares his life. Grendel, with every raid on the mead hall, spares Unferth’s life, mocking both Unferth and heroism. As Grendel progresses into a philosophical extent, the shots are again fired to Anglo-Saxon religion and culture. Beginning with the Dragon who influences Grendel into a nihilist state of mind, the final aim is taken by Red Horse. Red Horse influences the seemingly pure-hearted Hrothulf to embark on a revolution, claiming it is heroic in a sense. This shows that even a pure human like Hrothulf can turn into a cruel creature like Grendel.

Beowulf Journal 5

In the novel Grendel, the main character Grendel can be classified as a narrator. John Gardner, author of Grendel, develops the character Grendel by means of making him a narrator that describes how the Anglo-Saxon culture has developed and been integrated in religion, philosophy and human interactions. Grendel, in a scientific and detailed way, questions the Anglo-Saxon social interactions. Because Grendel is a social outcast, the human’s religion and means of life does not affect him strictly emotionally, but his narration evolves and changes as the novel progress. Throughout the novel, Grendel is in opposition to Anglo-Saxon government and does not understand their religion, but is heavily influenced by the Shaper and his poetic nature. As Grendel continues his study of the Shaper, an evolution in Grendel’s narration occurs, which is specifically shown in Chapters 7 and 8. In these chapters, Grendel’s narration changes from a direct paragraph form to a more poetic usage. Grendel begins to use parenthesis and italics to influence his views or specific ideas. This documents is social and philosophical evolution, which is a general trend in the novel.

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.

Beowulf Journal 3

Throughout the novel, Grendel evolves and matures as a character, and thus his style of writing and language evolves with him. In the primary passages of the novel, Grendel’s structure and syntax, while narrating the novel, is basic and elementary. Grendel develops his style of writing and language as he embarks on the study of the infamous Shaper. The Shaper’s iconic, soothing words shape and sophisticate Grendel’s language. Grendel begins using words he hears the humans speak, which he incorporates into his writing and narrations. Grendel is fascinated with the Shaper and his style of poetry and music; however, Grendel begins to understand that the Shaper is proclaiming deeds that are purely false. Grendel’s annoyance grows as he visits the Dragon. The Dragon opens Grendel’s eyes to the truth of the Shaper, which enrages and matures Grendel. The reader visually notices differences in Grendel’s language. He begins using an assortment of writing techniques that portray exactly what he sees.

Beowulf Journal 2

The Anglo-Saxons were people of war; their values reflect this in Beowulf and other epic heroes. Themes of human behavior and heroism directly correspond to Anglo-Saxon society by relation to human emotions of greed and pride. This epic reveals that Anglo-Saxon society revolves around heroism and alliance to the supreme leader or king. Reflected in Beowulf, his evolution from a sturdy fame-driven hero to a reliable king takes place in the epic. His evolution of ideas and actions further states the overall theme of heroism overtaking the Anglo-Saxon society. Religion in this society was one of great mythical Gods including Thor and Woden. This religion further developed the theme of Heroism taking fame. Another universal theme embedded in both Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon society is the constant struggle of good versus evil, making an alternate theme the battle between light and dark. In conclusion, the main values of Anglo-Saxon society are the evolution of hero to king and the revolving theme of evil and good.

Beowulf Journal 1

Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon epic poem, was written in times where Old-English flourished as a strong and vivid language, but currently is reviewed, revised, and redrawn for multiple purposes. In a basic analysis of this poem, one could never leave the hero of the Geats, Beowulf, out of the picture. Beowulf, an immensely strong, courageous hero is asked by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, for assistance in defeating a malicious monster Grendel who wreaks havoc in Heorot, the Danes’ mead-hall. Representing a call-to-action, Beowulf agrees to slain Grendel and their epic battle begins. After the battle takes rest, Beowulf stands tall with Grendel’s arm grasped and raised. Beowulf is not yet done; Grendel’s mother arises to finish the task her son could not. In a difficult battle to the death, Beowulf prevails and decapitates Grendel’s mother. Soon Beowulf is King of the Geats and finds trouble, dragon trouble, in his land. With the assistance of Wiglaf, Beowulf slays the dragon, but during the process, his life is taken from him. In relation to a quest, Grendel was the first evil force Beowulf had to face and Beowulf’s true nemesis. In Beowulf, Grendel’s character is portrayed as the epitome of evil, which is proven by the study of Grendel’s characteristics, personality, and actions.
In relation to a man, Grendel, an evil monster, is characterized as a descendant of Cain that has physical attributes far superior to those of a mortal man. As Hrothgar introduces the reader to Grendel, his description sets the tone and mood of the poem for many lines. Fear and desperation is evident in Hrothgar’s description. One descriptive line is, “Conceived by a pair of monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God” (line 20-21). This quote not only redefines the fear of Grendel, but adds an ancestral background to Grendel’s origin. Grendel is offspring of Cain, one of Adam and Eve’s sons, who is the first murderer; thus Cain is eternally cursed by God. Other than ancestry, Grendel is more dominant physically when compared to men. Grendel’s size is unimaginable; he can fit thirty men in his mouth with ease. Descendant of Cain, Grendel is a demon with unimaginable power that he uses for destruction and brutal murder.
With the appearance of Hell-on-Earth, Grendel has a callous and cruel personality that is apparent in each attack on Heorot. Grendel, in a span of twelve years, has attacked and inflicted damage to Heorot and King Hrothgar’s people. The Danes are one their last leg and have no power left for retaliation. This does not affect Grendel in any way; in fact, Grendel continues his assault on the Danes with no remorse. One line from the epic that portrays Grendel’s behavior is, “No savage assaults quench his lust for Evil” (line 52-53). This quote as well as actions in the epic proves that Grendel is a destructive and cold-hearted creature that enjoys killing Hrothgar’s people. This quote also proves that the number of soldiers Grendel murders has no effect on his actions; Grendel has no remorse and continues to come back to murder and destroy. Grendel is dark and destructive monster with a thirst for evil, his motives are simple and his plan is cruel.
When describing the nature of Grendel, his actions speak louder than his words. Grendel’s actions are pure evil and unpredictable; his deadly feasting of Hrothgar’s people is never-ending. At this time in the epic, Hrothgar calls on the assistance of Beowulf, but Grendel’s assault does not lessen. One example of Grendel’s deadly actions is, “He slipped through the door and there in silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowingly in their beds” (line 37-38). This quote proves that Grendel’s actions were feared by all, and explains Grendel’s methods of attack on the mead-hall. Furthermore, this quote explains how and why Grendel and Beowulf cross paths and details the actions taken.
Grendel, the first true test of Beowulf’ strength, is an intricate yet fearful character, which shows in his actions, motives, and personality. Characteristics of Grendel include a dominant physical body structure, powerful strength, and size advantage over most mortal men. In relation to personality, Grendel is heartless and feels no guilt for his evil killings on Hrothgar’s men. Grendel’s actions portray a sense of urgency and pleasure in his killings; his unremorseful behavior personifies this. In conclusion, Grendel is a much needed and unforgettable character in Beowulf, and his actions and personality show what a dominant force he is.