John Gardner's ‘Grendel’ is both a thriller and one that offers pleasure at times. The cause of these two conflicting feelings is based on the character Grendel himself. In this book, Gardener retells the story of Beowulf through the eyes of the monster – Grendel. Throughout the book, the author tries to show the difference and the commonalities between monsters and humans.
When Grendel first meets humans, the two actually realize they are different creatures; however, they also shared some similarities. Even more interesting is that both speak the same language. Alike, the Shaper's song that uses the story of Cain and Abel points to the Grendel as Cain's descendant implies a shared ancestry of humans and Grendel (Gardner, 52), because just like Grendel goes on a murder spree for blood humans to kill each other for no apparent reason. Thus, throughout the novel, the difference between human and monster is blurred, because the author portrays Grendel as more human than Dane. At times the Dane more evil than the monster. This paper explores whether Grendel is more human than he thinks he is, as well as relook the sympathetic aspect the story shows the reader. Finally, I will explore whether Grendel's actions are justified from own sight.
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It is interesting how society labels people without knowing who they are. In the epic of Grendel, the greatest adversary of the story is the character Grendel. Throughout the novel, the story of Grendel speaks volumes about humanity. Though labeled a 'monster', close analysis of the text reveals that Grendel is more human than he thinks he is. The novel opens in the 12th year of Grendel's battle with humans. Wandering outside the cave, he encounters a ram; he tries to scare it, but the ram does not move; instead of killing it, he leaves it alone. “I let out a howl so unspeakable that the water at my feet turn into sudden ice even I myself am left uneasy. But the ram stays… ‘Ah, well’, I sigh and shrug” (Gardner 5, 6). He then proceeds to the kingdom of Hrothgar, where he continually raids. In these instances, he recalls a time in his youth when his leg stuck in the bushrel, and a bull found him there and charged him severally before living Grendel alone. Later Hrothgar's men found Grendel, and unable to identify with the creature because of its thunderous voice, the humans launched an attack on him, and his mother came to his rescue.
The aspect of human expansion into different activities has also been linked with increased power struggles and war when Hrothgar gained power. At one point, when power was entirely in the hand of Hrothgar, the Shaper offered to sing for pay at the mead-hall. He sang a glorious song that glorified humans and Hrothgar; however, the Shaper pointed to Grendel as the monster. Upset by this, Grendel rushed to the Danes to explain that he meant no harm, but they chased him away. Therefore, these actions could point to the fact that he is more human than humans who are seen as hostile and cruel to a mere creature seeking friendship. “I staggered out in the open and towards the hall with my burden, groaning out, ‘Mercy, Peace!’.... I sank to my knees crying, ‘Friend! Friend’. They hacked at me, yipping like dogs” (Gardner 50, 51).
Secondly, he can identify himself as a monster by noting that some creatures are 'undignified.' His mention of human ancestry also implies that he and the humans might not be different but related. The author also mentions the fact that despite Grendel wanting to be close with his mother, and have her interact with him more, she doesn't and his constant use of language and questioning also separates him from his mother. In Chapter 2, there is an instance where the author cites that he went out hunting for food but instead got his foot stuck in the trunk till dawn. The author suggests that at sunrise, the world felt horrible for Grendel without his mother around, he cried out for help, but the mother never appeared. Grendel's cry for her mother implies a connection similar to that of a normal human being seeking protection from their mother, which could also mean he is more human than he thinks he is not. Thus, it is these unspoken conflicts that create a sympathetic mood in the reader, although Grendel’s motive is also not right because he chose to spare some Danes life so he could mess with them before killing them.
Throughout the story, the author presents Grendel as one who is looking for someone to speak to. The various animals and creatures and Danes cannot talk to him. His mother is nowhere, and for the most part, he is having conversations with himself, and this can be a devastating state. When he encountered humans, they could not identify with his terrifying voice and thus branded him a monster. Consequently, humans hunt him down. The dragon is perhaps the only one Grendel would consider a friend. Nonetheless, the dragon is condescending and dismissive.
All in all, Grendel's pathetic loneliness throughout the book and his violent outburst can be attributed to the antagonist relationship with humans owing to his misunderstood attempts to talk and reach out to others. That he spares Unferth, some Danes and Hrothgar lives imply that Grendel is looking out for someone to interact with, and this portrays him desperate. Ultimately, one can come to excuse or understand Grendel considering the novel delves on conflicting ideas. As the story progresses, different characters are faced with having to make choices on their beliefs. Grendel is the narrator and the protagonist in this story. Though portrayed as a monster who eats humans, he is also a lonely creature seeking friendship. Throughout the novel, he is seen questioning and pondering things about the universe, law, and space, and time (Gardner, 115). He visits his friend, the dragon, who manages to convince him that the world is meaningless. Grendel's frustrations by the nature of the world's inhabitants are exemplified by his interaction with the goat, ram, and bull. From Grendel's stance, the grandiose social concepts of religion, justice, and heroism on which their society is founded are false and foolish.
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