In both “Beowulf” and “Grendel,” Grendel is perceived to be inherently monstrous by the end of the novel. However, Grendel was not a monster to begin with, he was simply curious like any other creature possessing intelligence. Grendel’s curiosity allowed him to experience the outside world and foreign ideas that differed from his own childlike ideals. As a result, Grendel was led down the path of insanity, but Beowulf eventually brought him back from his insanity. Insanity in Grendel’s case is not an inherited trait, but instead the logic of an accurate mind overtasked. From the moment Grendel stepped outside into the world beyond the fire snakes his mind was overtasked. Insanity was the only logical route for Grendel to take, especially
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The main ideologies present in his own world were existentialism, solipsism, and nihilism. Nihilism, which is what the dragon had taught Grendel, was the belief that life had no meaning. When presented with this idea, Grendel could not comprehend it or he did not want to, since he kept saying “ I think you are lying” to the dragon (Grendel) . Grendel thought that there had to be some purpose to why he was alive and breathing in the world. Then there was the idea of existentialism, which means Grendel could create his own “destiny” through actions. Grendel had tried to create his own destiny when trying to befriend the humans. However over time he had been driven insane and decided to become what the humans thought he was, which was a monster. In addition to believing in both nihilism and existentialism, Grendel was also a solipsist till the end of his life. Meaning that he knew that only he himself truly existed and everything else was unknown. The combination of these three ideologies made Grendel feel extremely isolated from the rest of the world. He had no real purpose according to the dragon and only knew that he himself existed. As a result of both of these conflicting ideals and the inability to act upon his curiosity, Grendel accepted insanity with open
The main ideologies present in his own world were existentialism, solipsism, and nihilism. Nihilism, which is what the dragon had taught Grendel, was the belief that life had no meaning. When presented with this idea, Grendel could not comprehend it or he did not want to, since he kept saying “ I think you are lying” to the dragon (Grendel) . Grendel thought that there had to be some purpose to why he was alive and breathing in the world. Then there was the idea of existentialism, which means Grendel could create his own “destiny” through actions. Grendel had tried to create his own destiny when trying to befriend the humans. However over time he had been driven insane and decided to become what the humans thought he was, which was a monster. In addition to believing in both nihilism and existentialism, Grendel was also a solipsist till the end of his life. Meaning that he knew that only he himself truly existed and everything else was unknown. The combination of these three ideologies made Grendel feel extremely isolated from the rest of the world. He had no real purpose according to the dragon and only knew that he himself existed. As a result of both of these conflicting ideals and the inability to act upon his curiosity, Grendel accepted insanity with open