Both Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, and Grendel by John Gardner depict similar qualities between the two main characters, but different perspectives offered by each book also differentiate the characters by illustrating unique details described only in one of the books.
There are many qualities of both Beowulf and Grendel that are mentioned in both books. For example, Beowulf possesses superhuman strength in both Beowulf and Grendel. This is shown when Beowulf, “__________” (Gardner ##). A quality of Grendel that is present in both books is his inability to be harmed by blades. This is seen many times throughout each book, “but their points / Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron / Could not scratch at his skin” (Raffel 375-6). Finally, the home of both Grendel and his mother is revealed in both stories. Grendel’s lair …show more content…
The first of these dissimilarities is the portrayal of one character as a hero and the other as a villain. In Grendel, the author creates a feeling that Grendel is somewhat of a hero, while Beowulf is an evil force trying to defeat Grendel. However, these roles are reversed in Beowulf; Beowulf is portrayed as a courageous warrior who is trying to drive out an evil villain and save Herot. Another difference between the two books is the description of Grendel. In the book Grendel, he is given many human qualities. He has the ability to think, speak, and feel emotions: “___________” (Gardner ##). However, in Beowulf, Grendel is perceived as a bloodthirsty monster that shows no concern for anything besides his instincts. Finally, in Grendel, John Gardner states that Grendel receives his “invincibility” when he is enchanted by the dragon. In Beowulf, however, Grendel is said to have been cursed since he is supposedly a descendant of Cain, “_________” (Raffel
There are many qualities of both Beowulf and Grendel that are mentioned in both books. For example, Beowulf possesses superhuman strength in both Beowulf and Grendel. This is shown when Beowulf, “__________” (Gardner ##). A quality of Grendel that is present in both books is his inability to be harmed by blades. This is seen many times throughout each book, “but their points / Could not hurt him, the sharpest and hardest iron / Could not scratch at his skin” (Raffel 375-6). Finally, the home of both Grendel and his mother is revealed in both stories. Grendel’s lair …show more content…
The first of these dissimilarities is the portrayal of one character as a hero and the other as a villain. In Grendel, the author creates a feeling that Grendel is somewhat of a hero, while Beowulf is an evil force trying to defeat Grendel. However, these roles are reversed in Beowulf; Beowulf is portrayed as a courageous warrior who is trying to drive out an evil villain and save Herot. Another difference between the two books is the description of Grendel. In the book Grendel, he is given many human qualities. He has the ability to think, speak, and feel emotions: “___________” (Gardner ##). However, in Beowulf, Grendel is perceived as a bloodthirsty monster that shows no concern for anything besides his instincts. Finally, in Grendel, John Gardner states that Grendel receives his “invincibility” when he is enchanted by the dragon. In Beowulf, however, Grendel is said to have been cursed since he is supposedly a descendant of Cain, “_________” (Raffel