What Role Does Philosophy Play In Grendel's Journey

In the book, Grendel by John Gardner, philosophy plays a vital role in shaping the character of Grendel. The character of Grendel develops as Grendel encounters with different characters each with their distinct philosophy while traveling on a journey of self-discovery. Throughout the novel, Grendel is influenced by a wide range of people, from the dragon to shaper. In addition, Gardner also makes connections between the zodiac signs and Grendel’s philosophical developments throughout his life. Gardner mainly uses Plato’s allegory of the cave, Solipsism, and Nihilism to emphasize the connection between Grendel’s personality and philosophical beliefs. In Plato's text, the prisoners in the cave are living a different perspective of reality. Once a prisoner is freed, the knowledge of another world changes his reality. The individual experiences a different perspective of reality that he is not accustom to. The prisoner is then given this perspective and goes back to his previous world in the cave; however, now he is weaker and considered more of a laughing stock in that society. By simply coming back to his previous world, the prisoner …show more content…
Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. Nihilism is often associated with pessimism. A nihilist believes in nothing, has no loyalties and has no purpose other than desire to destroy. In Grendel, Grendel’s philosophical view can be mostly referred as Nihilistic. Even before Grendel meets the dragon, Grendel believes that the “World is all pointless accident” (28). This is a common nihilist belief is that the world is an accident and therefore pointless. Grendel reflects this belief because he believes that world is a pointless accident and specifically, this quote falls under existential nihilism. The conversation between the dragon and Grendel can be seemed as dragon’s preaching to