Grendel follows the philosophical evolution, from solipsism to nihilism, of a socially isolated creature, a monster. It is an examination of human metaphysical curiosity and its many dangers, specifically the tendency toward blind cynicism. Grendel is a censure of the rapid growth of this cynicism in twentieth century society and the consequent widespread distrust of abstract ideals.
In investigating his own nature, the monster in the story destroys himself. He realizes that the universe is determined, accidental, and so he loses faith in his own importance. With time, he becomes a beast, a "brute existent," until eventually his soul has wholly left him. He does not die for love or for passion or for freedom. His spirit dies instead simply, hopelessly, mired in boredom and indignation, without courage or sadness. Grendel is dead long before his body fails him. He fades away, and the most important theme in this novel is that such self-destruction, though tempting, is not the only answer.
Grendel's first defense against a brute universe is solipsism: the belief that the self can know only itself and that it is the only existent thing. As the novel clearly demonstrates, solipsism is a weak defense. However loudly a creature may declare its godhood, the universe continues to function independently. However staunchly a creature may deny the reality of outside factors, outside factors will continue to impose themselves upon his everyday existence. The main flaw in solipsism is that it contradicts every aspect of human experience. Grendel is justifiably unsatisfied and nervous under its tenuous cover.
After his visit to the dragon, Grendel finds a more solid shield, nihilism: the belief that nothing has meaning; that life is a long series of accidents and is in itself an accident. As a philosophy, nihilism is complete. It provides an answer to every metaphysical, "why?" Whatever the concern, a nihilist can conclusively state, "There is no way to truly know, but it does not matter anyway.
Beowulf is stronger than anyone Grendel has ever met, and with a vicious jerk, he rips Grendel's arm off. ... Context: John Champlin Gardner was born in Batavia, New York, on July 21, 1933, the eldest of four children. ... The idea for Grendel grew out of this research. ... In 1969, he began work on Grendel. ... Grendel brought Gardner instant national recognition. ...
In 1971, American author John Gardner wrote "Grendel." ... On July 21, 1933 John Gardner was born in Batavia, New York. ... It was the appearance of Grendel in 1970, however, that brought him true fame and recognition. ... In the big picture, there are evil' characters, like Grendel, and good ones like, Wealtheow. ... Grendel seems to view man as a maker of pattern. ...
In Beowulf, Grendel was a fascinating monster. ... (pg.21-22) In my opinion, if someone or something can actually take pleasure in killing people, then that person or thing is a true monster. ... Also in Beowulf, Grendel's mom was a very interesting villain. ... Grendel was wounded and dying, and his mom came to the rescue. ... I also think that Grendel's mom didn't really have a choice in being evil. ...
In the epic Grendel is said to be born to Cain. (21) In The Bible, Cain is the eldest son of Adam and Eve. ... "Bearing God's hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill" (235) shows the evil half of the good verse evil them in action. ... The enemies of Beowulf and Buliwf include Grendel of the epic also known as the bear people in The Thirteenth Warrior, Grendel's Mother or the old human lady with a claw, and a dragon or fireworm. ... The bear people and Grendel play similar roles in their respective stories. In the epic Beowulf's next battle is against Grendel's Mother. ...
The first time Grendel is mentioned, he is described as a descendent of Cain. ... (lines 20-21) Grendel began attacking Herot and eating men, a hideous act of evil. ... Grendel only attacks under the cover of night. "Then when darkness had dropped, Grendel went up to Herot."" ... (line 110-111) This young Beowulf is able to defeat Grendel by himself with his bare hands by ripping off Grendel's arm. ...
Grendel sarcastically remarks "It was not always like this of, course. ... I create the whole universe, blink by blink- (21-22). ... Grendel is still however, lost and wretched. ... Grendel's nature is bitter and depressive. Grendel truly sees the world as meaningless. ...
Early in the poem, Beowulf appears as if an agent of God to "calm the turmoil and terror" (282) caused by Grendel's evil among the Danes. ... Through the poet's description, one sees Grendel as an advocate of evil, a product of God's curse upon Cain. ... Klaeber describes Grendel as an "impersonation of evil and darkness, even an incarnation of the Christian devil" (Klaeber 1). Beowulf ultimately kills Grendel, the "captain of evil" (749). ... Klaeber writes, "We might even feel inclined to recognize features of the Christian Savior in the destroyer of hellish fiends, th...
Although he has not created a new world as Christ has done, he has performed extraordinary deeds, and "bloodied by enemies where I crushed down five, killed a tribe of giants, and on the waves at night slew water-beasts" (419-21). ... Grendel, the first of the trial that Beowulf encounters, most closely parallels Satan. While Grendel suggests folklore origins, the poem most definitely alludes to the Christian concept of evil, Satan. ... "Then up from the marsh, under misty cliffs, Grendel came walking; he bore God's wrath. ... In his second encounter, he must fight Grendel's mother...
John Champlin Gardner was born in Batavia, New York, on July 21, 1933. ... Gardner uses the characters to retell the story of Grendel and Beowulf in his novel, Grendel. ... In Beowulf, Grendel represents irrationality. ... Gardner views the character Grendel in a different ways. ... Grendel is Gardner's most famous work and Grendel is the retelling of a poem Beowulf. ...
