The Grendel portrayed in John Gardner’s novel and the Grendel in the epic Beowulf possess similarities however, they are fundamentally different. The two Grendel’s differ in perspective, emotional complexity, and physical development throughout both stories. The most profound difference is the perspective in which Grendel is evaluated and judged. Unfortunately for Grendel, in the epic Beowulf, he is seen from the limited perspective of man. In this perspective he is depicted as an awfully treacherous creature whose only objective is to sleep, eat, and breath destruction. This perspective is evident throughout the epic Beowulf, “ A powerful monster living down in darkness growls in pain, impatient.” (Beowulf 1-2). This quote shows Grendel from
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In the epic Beowulf, Grendel is thought to only be able to feel a handful of emotions, which included anger, curiosity, and jealousy. Grendel is painted as this mindless being in the epic Beowulf, which is in direct, contrast with the Grendel in the novel. This is evident in the limited emotional depth given to Grendel in the epic Beowulf, “ Grendel’s hatred began, the monster relished the savage war.” (Beowulf 66-67 ). This excerpt depicts Grendel as a character that is only capable of expressing few emotions and is more closely related to a wild animal then to a human. This is contrasted by the emotions Grendel projects in the novel Grendel by John Gardner. In the novel Grendel is transformed from a savage beast of the wilderness into a creature that possesses the ability to feel sympathy, loneliness, and guilt. In the novel Grendel’s previously emotionally unjustifiable acts (although still evil) are transformed into emotionally rational actions. “How, if I know all this, you may ask, could I hound him – shatter him again and again, Dive him deeper and deeper into woe? I have no answer, except perhaps this: why should I not? Has he made any move to deserve my kindness?” (Grendel 122). This quote shows that in the novel, Grendel’s hate is no longer blind. It has evolved into rational …show more content…
He is a non-developing character. This gives the reader a simplistic image of Grendel. Grendel is portrayed as a stagnant character, “ waiting to see his swift claws Grendel snatched up the first victim. He came to, ripped him apart, cut his body to bits with his powerful jaws” (Beowulf 260- 265). This description shows the simplistic, animal-like image the author is trying to give Grendel. Excerpts such as this make the reader wonder if Grendel has always been a experienced and savage killer or if at one time he was an inexperienced adolescent just like the rest of us were at one time. The reader questions are answered by the physical description and evolution of Grendel in the novel. In the novel, Grendel is depicted as a developing character that grows from adolescence to adulthood. This growth is documented and described from Grendel’s first raid to his battle with Beowulf and ultimate demise. “Everything around me: distinct, detached as dead men. I understood. Mama! I bellowed. Mama, mamma! I’m dying! But her love was history” (Grendel 172-173). This excerpt shows how Grendel, in his adolescence could rely his mother for protection, however now in his adulthood he has grown up and can no longer depend on her
In the epic Beowulf, Grendel is thought to only be able to feel a handful of emotions, which included anger, curiosity, and jealousy. Grendel is painted as this mindless being in the epic Beowulf, which is in direct, contrast with the Grendel in the novel. This is evident in the limited emotional depth given to Grendel in the epic Beowulf, “ Grendel’s hatred began, the monster relished the savage war.” (Beowulf 66-67 ). This excerpt depicts Grendel as a character that is only capable of expressing few emotions and is more closely related to a wild animal then to a human. This is contrasted by the emotions Grendel projects in the novel Grendel by John Gardner. In the novel Grendel is transformed from a savage beast of the wilderness into a creature that possesses the ability to feel sympathy, loneliness, and guilt. In the novel Grendel’s previously emotionally unjustifiable acts (although still evil) are transformed into emotionally rational actions. “How, if I know all this, you may ask, could I hound him – shatter him again and again, Dive him deeper and deeper into woe? I have no answer, except perhaps this: why should I not? Has he made any move to deserve my kindness?” (Grendel 122). This quote shows that in the novel, Grendel’s hate is no longer blind. It has evolved into rational …show more content…
He is a non-developing character. This gives the reader a simplistic image of Grendel. Grendel is portrayed as a stagnant character, “ waiting to see his swift claws Grendel snatched up the first victim. He came to, ripped him apart, cut his body to bits with his powerful jaws” (Beowulf 260- 265). This description shows the simplistic, animal-like image the author is trying to give Grendel. Excerpts such as this make the reader wonder if Grendel has always been a experienced and savage killer or if at one time he was an inexperienced adolescent just like the rest of us were at one time. The reader questions are answered by the physical description and evolution of Grendel in the novel. In the novel, Grendel is depicted as a developing character that grows from adolescence to adulthood. This growth is documented and described from Grendel’s first raid to his battle with Beowulf and ultimate demise. “Everything around me: distinct, detached as dead men. I understood. Mama! I bellowed. Mama, mamma! I’m dying! But her love was history” (Grendel 172-173). This excerpt shows how Grendel, in his adolescence could rely his mother for protection, however now in his adulthood he has grown up and can no longer depend on her