Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's

Improved Essays
Show More
Grendel vs. Grendel Grendel. This name struck fear in men and have even made the strongest tremble in terror. However is he just a monster that’s “hoping to kill…?” (Glencoe, 394) or is Grendel a whole other monster , one who thinks, feels, and has desires just like any other person. This insight occurs in John Gardner’s “Grendel” which makes Grendel seem a lot more complex than Beowulf’s Grendel. John Gardner’s Grendel wasn’t just a monster, he was a monster with ideas, feelings and most importantly, philosophies about life. This Grendel is smart and is reflective on life constantly throughout the novel. For example “...The world was nothing; a mechanical chaos of casual. Brute enmity…” (Gardner, 22) This Grendel shows his thought process

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    What Is The Difference Between Grendel And Beowulf
    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Is The Difference Between Grendel And Beowulf

    The character of Grendel in the novel written by John Gardener is more of an elaborate character, opposed to the character of Grendel in the epic poem Beowulf who is more of a dull character. Its easy to see that one story is told from the first person pov and the other is told from a third person pov, thus allowing the reader to connect more with gardeners Grendel than Beowulf. In Grendel you can have more of an emotional connection rather than just seeing him in Beowulf as a big ugly monster.…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    John Gardener's 'Grendel': A Literary Analysis
    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages

    John Gardener's 'Grendel': A Literary Analysis

    John Gardener's "Grendel" shows a titular character that extremely similar to the monster of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" : two wretches that have been rebuked by mankind, having been violently rejected for their misunderstood intentions and both seeking their place in their world (or universe). Both "creatures" lash out violently at their mistreatment and denial of happiness, and those responsible. Grendel is introduced to the reader as a murderous (this much rings from the rather single-faceted Grendel of Beowulf) and cynical wretch. However, it becomes clear upon further reading that this was not always the disposition of English literature's oldest fiend, rather his hate and homicidal actions stem from his own mistreatment. Grendel even,…

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Authorial Influence In Grendel And Beowulf
    • 721 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Authorial Influence In Grendel And Beowulf

    Grendel is very one-sided in the original Beowulf text, but in Grendel we see him in a new light, in a new way. Relating to the last paragraph some ideas were touched upon. Grendel is not just a monster, he is more human, or appears more human with depth and color. He has conflicts, he has choices, he is relatable. That’s what makes John Gardner’s story so powerful.…

    • 721 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Beowulf And Grendel Comparison
    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf And Grendel Comparison

    Without Gardner’s Grendel, he would have only been seen as a brute monster, set out to kill. The novel allows us to that he is capable of thinking and feeling, which sets him apart and leads the audience to think that he is human in his…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's Insanity
    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's Insanity

    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.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Similarities Between Frankenstein And Grendel
    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Similarities Between Frankenstein And Grendel

    Grendel vs. Frankenstein In the novel “Grendel”, Grendel is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a terrifying monster who kills and eats humans, but is a lonely, isolated creature. Along the lines of Frankenstein, Grendel is as lonely as a lost puppy.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel Vs Beowulf Research Paper
    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Grendel Vs Beowulf Research Paper

    Although Beowulf always gets all the attention for being being the good guy, Unferth should have won that praise. Unferth is more noble than Grendel or Beowulf because he displays courage through chasing after Grendel to fight him and save Heorot, he displays honor by challenging Grendel to a fair fight, perseverance through his constant attempts to continue fighting Grendel, and truthfulness through admitting he isn’t strong and he is probably going to lose. To a Viking, being honorable meant staying true to your beliefs. Unferth does this in the mead hall owing to the fact that he doesn’t want to fight Grendel with Grendel at a massive disadvantage.…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel Vs Beowulf
    • 1339 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Grendel Vs Beowulf

    Grendel is a dark monster who lives off of terrorizing the Geats. The Geats live happily at their football practice every single day working hard and sweating with their star captain Beowulf. Grendel is the star captain who plays for Grendel High. The school is named after him because he punished the school until they named it after him. The reason that Beowulf High is named after Beowulf is because he is such a respectful person; his family name has lived on for him to carry and the whole town knows of him.…

    • 1339 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Is Grendel Good Or Evil
    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Is Grendel Good Or Evil

    Grendel; Good or Evil? Many wonder about the beast of Beowulf and whether he is evil, or just a lonely beast in a world full of humans. The readers, as humans, see the monstrous acts performed by Grendel as cruel and inconsiderate, therefore calling Grendel what he is acclaimed to be, evil. Although, Grendel by John Gardner gives the readers a look on the inside of his life and experiences, told from Grendel himself.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Frankenstein And Grendel Comparison
    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Frankenstein And Grendel Comparison

    “The monster” tries to see the good in people, just like Grendel would observe when creeping about through the bushes watching all the men sing and laugh about battles they’ve won or about the good and the evil of the world. In the beginning of Grendel, he feels lonely because of the fact that he has nobody to talk to and feels like his own mom hates him. He doesn’t understand why he’s the way he is but tries to have conversations with the other people around him, but it doesn’t work. “Why can’t I have somebody to talk to?…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Criticism Of 'Grendel In Beowulf' By John Garden
    • 242 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Criticism Of 'Grendel In Beowulf' By John Garden

    Being criticize can be a very hard thing to cope with. Take grendel, he is a monster who tries to i fit into the world. Is he living based on free will or fate? In the book “grendel” by John Garden , you see how grendel sees the world. Grendel maybe a misunderstood creature, but I believe he is killing people on his own free will.…

    • 242 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Grendel Is A Monster
    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Why Grendel Is A Monster

    In the novel “Grendel” by John Gardner we get to see the life that the monster lives. We are able to get a sense of what goes through the monsters head during this book. When we first met Grendel it was in the epic of Beowulf. We weren't able to get to know Grendel in the story but the only thing that we did know was he was terrorizing the town of Hrothgar. We are able to learn more about Grendel through the novel and see why he is the monster that he is.…

    • 889 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Loneliness And Isolation In Grendel
    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Loneliness And Isolation In Grendel

    Themes are an essential element to all works of literature and display as well help unlock greater meaning and intention of the author. Throughout John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, the tale of the monster Grendel in the years before the setting of the famous epic poem, Beowulf, there are many themes that greatly enhance the detail and overall meaning of the story. Throughout the entire novel, Grendel, the themes of the relationship between monsters and humans, the presence and impact of loneliness and isolation, as well as the abundance of discussion of philosophy, theory, and belief, all greatly develop a sense of greater meaning, both obvious and hidden, as well as detail within the story. One of the main themes displayed throughout the novel…

    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel's Argumentative Essay
    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Grendel's Argumentative Essay

    In Grendel, by John Gardner, Grendel demonstrates a dynamic change in character throughout the story which allows the reader to experience his thought process and why he choose to commit a variety of crimes. At first, the reader see a side of Grendel that is not present in Beowulf. This side of Grendel displays his intelligent and wise thought process on certain matter. Grendel shows his solipsism in these beginning chapters through his actions and words. He believes that he is the only creature who can make rational decisions depending on different circumstances.…

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Grendel Character Analysis
    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Grendel Character Analysis

    In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, it tells the story of the epic poem of Beowulf, but from the “behemoth’s” point of view. This story gives a more sympathetic and altered portrayal of the creature known as Grendel. Grendel is speaking for himself and using empathy for his pain. It gives the reader the question of who the real evil in the world is, whether it is Monster or Men. In the beginning of the novel, Grendel is a misunderstood creature.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings