Line 305 ‘’His heart laughed at the sight of the sleeping soldiers, the monsters mind was hot with the thought of food and the feasting his belly would soon know. ’’ Line 260 ‘’The monster’s scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none.’’ Line 375 ‘’That sin stained demon had bewitched all men’s weapons.’’ Theses are the character traits that Grendel the monster from the story of Bewulf…
Grendel, from the novel Grendel, and the monster, from the novel Frankenstein, are two very complex characters. These two characters both symbolize the outcasts of the world, they are both hated because they're abnormal, ugly, and un-human. Grendel and the monster in the beginning of both their novels are completely alone. The only contrast is that Grendel is only loved by his mother, and the monster is loved by no one. Grendel is this hairy, tall creature who frightens everyone who comes near; this causes him to be excluded from all society.…
In John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, Grendel’s last words are meant as a curse towards mankind and the animals who gather to watch him die. Grendel is seen throughout the story adopting a hatred towards humans which makes these words a curse. Grendel hatred first shown when he states “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhall, Wrecker of Kings” (Gardner 80). Grendel is split now between believing the truth that he does not alone exist or continue to carry out his killing spree on humans but in turn, proves the humans actually are independent creatures. When Grendel first appear in the story, he can be seen as an intelligent being that adopted solipsism, throughout the story his personality changed drastically which causes him to curse the humans at the…
Grendel; Good or Evil? Many wonder about the beast of Beowulf and whether he is evil, or just a lonely beast in a world full of humans. The readers, as humans, see the monstrous acts performed by Grendel as cruel and inconsiderate, therefore calling Grendel what he is acclaimed to be, evil. Although, Grendel by John Gardner gives the readers a look on the inside of his life and experiences, told from Grendel himself.…
Monsters The Frankenstein and Grendel novels, both contain the stories of some of literature’s most famous monsters. The characters in these stories exist to remind the world of the pain that stems from rejection and of the consequences of that pain. Grendel and the “Monster” from Frankenstein explored the realms of men in search of acceptance from them and were both met with cruel rejection. Although their stories were written during different time periods, both characters share many characteristics, story elements and overall themes.…
Grendel’s Philosophical Lifestyle In the book Grendel the main character, Grendel is a monster that was once rejected by humans making him into an angry and bitter person. Grendel only cares about himself and wants to be the best at what he does which is fighting. Grendel’s whole life he experiences multiple different types of philosophies in which he lives by. Three main philosophies stick out in Grendel's life which he lives by the most, they are Machiavellianism, Solipsism, and Nihilism Throughout Grendel, Grendel is a very bitter person, but cares about his reputation of fighting, his goal is to be the best at it that he can be.…
“I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever.” (Shelly 15). In the novels Grendel and Frankenstein, the main characters hold many similarities and differences. For example both the Monster and Frankenstein resent their Creators and are lonely, shunned outsiders. However, while the Monster’s motive for violence is revenge, Grendel’s is simply done out of blood-thirstiness.…
Traditional heroes grace the covers of comic books, the posters for films, and come to mind first when the word hero is mentioned. Traditional heroes are the Supermen of the world, the ones who are larger than life and embody every perfect trait everyone should aspire to have. Grendel, the hero of John Gardner’s novel of the same name, is not a traditional hero by any means. Not only is he not a human, nor attractive, but he storms meadhalls and eats people for entertainment; yet he still appears to portray very heroic qualities underneath the homicidal tendencies. Although he finds amusement in killing and consuming people, Grendel is a tragic hero and a victim of fate and circumstance.…
Themes are an essential element to all works of literature and display as well help unlock greater meaning and intention of the author. Throughout John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, the tale of the monster Grendel in the years before the setting of the famous epic poem, Beowulf, there are many themes that greatly enhance the detail and overall meaning of the story. Throughout the entire novel, Grendel, the themes of the relationship between monsters and humans, the presence and impact of loneliness and isolation, as well as the abundance of discussion of philosophy, theory, and belief, all greatly develop a sense of greater meaning, both obvious and hidden, as well as detail within the story. One of the main themes displayed throughout the novel…
Kristena Westerfeld English 11- Beowulf essay: personal dragons Throughout life, there are many obstacles that are faced day after day. Some obstacles bigger and more difficult than others. These obstacles faced can be either physical or mental and are found in today 's everyday life, the poem Beowulf and the story Grendel. Mental obstacles come in many different shapes and sizes, in real life or through a story.…
The saying “there are two sides to every story” rings especially true when comparing the various personas of Grendel throughout the poem, Beowulf, the story, Grendel, and the YouTube clip shown in class. Grendel’s characterization varies greatly in the movie, book and poem equally. The contrasting viewpoints play off of the theme “Morality vs. Instinct”. Also, Grendel’s character differs based upon the perspective of the writer and his prior experiences with Grendel. However, Grendel’s action remain constant throughout each outlet.…
Singer-songwriter Eric Burdon illustrates human nature and the universe’s constant struggle between good and evil, “Inside each of us, there is the seed of both good and evil. It 's a constant struggle as to which one will win. And one cannot exist without the other.” John Gardner’s Grendel also exemplifies this conflict, and there is frequent controversy over whether Grendel is considered evil or not. Grendel is not evil; he is merely led to perform evil deeds due to his absence of self-acceptance, companionship, and communication.…
Grendel’s interactions with the world outside his childhood cave reform his identity and make him question his purpose. He must grapple with the new ideas he is exposed to from the Shaper and develop an understanding of men and their motivations to discover where he fits in their world. Grendel’s new insights into good and evil, his intelligence compared to animals and men, and his longing for community shape his evolving identity as he accepts his monstrous role in the world of mankind. Grendel loses his childhood innocence after he gets stuck in the tree and is left at the mercy of the men who find him. He is exposed to new ideas of good and evil as the men misunderstand him and resort to violence.…
In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, it tells the story of the epic poem of Beowulf, but from the “behemoth’s” point of view. This story gives a more sympathetic and altered portrayal of the creature known as Grendel. Grendel is speaking for himself and using empathy for his pain. It gives the reader the question of who the real evil in the world is, whether it is Monster or Men. In the beginning of the novel, Grendel is a misunderstood creature.…
Grendel is an innately evil demonic beast and his birthright is to be scorned by man as Cain’s evil offspring. As a result of this ostracism, he takes out his fury on the men in Heorot, killing whomever he can as his own form of warped vengeance stemming from a feeling of isolation as a born outcast. Despite Grendel’s misfortunes, which may garner sympathy from some, his actions are not justified by the situation he is in and, even in a violent, revenge-based society, Grendel is still the heartless beast the Danes see him as and his fate was well deserved. When Grendel is first introduced, he is actually described in a slightly sympathetic light.…