Beowulf's Self-Image In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

In the book Grendel by John Gardner, the author talks about Grendel's self-image through another character's actions and words. Grendel describes himself which reveal his self image. For instance, “...fists clenched against my lack of will, my belly growling, mindless as wind, for blood” (Gardner 9). Grendel statements shows that he knows himself that he is a monster and he accepts it. However, Grendel tries to communicate to the humans and be like them. At the end of the battle, Beowulf reminds Grendel that he is a monster. Beowulf whispers “ Grendel, Grendel! You make the world by whispers, second by second. Are you blind to that? Whether you make it a grave or a garden of roses is not the point” (171). Beowulf makes Grendel sings but Grendel …show more content…
When Beowulf was whispering to Grendel’s ear, it only made him mad and upset because he is trying his best to be like the human but he is not accepted. Grendel’s mother does not say much to Grendel. Grendel then feels separated from his mother. When Grendel asks his mother she repeatedly says “don’t ask” (11). This makes Grendel curious about his existence. He loved his mother but he felt far away from her since she won’t answer any of his questions. Every time Grendel asks his mother a question, she refuses to say anything. Grendel had no one else to talk to besides his mother which made him lonely. Unferth also says that “It will be sung,” he whispered, then paused again to get wind. “It will be sung year on year and age on age that Unferth went down through the burning lake—” he paused to pant “—and gave his life in battle with the world-rim monster” (87). This shows that Unferth does not try to attack Grendel because when he knows Grendel knows how to speak like the humans. Grendel thought that heros are ridiculous however the human see it differently than he does. Grendel doesn't care about being a hero but Unferth wants