Comparing 'Grendel And Beowulf'

Improved Essays
The novel Grendel by John Gardner depicts a fundamentally

distinctive picture of Grendel than the epic lyric Beowulf paints. Grendel is

a non-person who gangs human qualities. In either story it is most certainly not

determined what sort of being Grendel is, nor does it recount what precisely

Grendel resembles. The main thought the peruser has of seeing Grendel is

the little indications either creator gives. We know he remains on two feet as

people do, we know he is secured in hair, and we know he is tremendous.

In spite of the fact that there are numerous noteworthy contrasts between the two

stories one thought emerges the most when I read Grendel.

That thought is in the sonnet Beowulf, Grendel is depicted a substantial
…show more content…
For instance the line "the beast ventured on the brilliant cleared

floor, crazed with shrewdness outrage; from his weird eyes an appalling light shone

out like flame" (Beowulf line 725), demonstrates this point.

In the novel however this point needs advancement. Maybe Grendel

is depicted as a confounded animal going through life searching for

answers. Shockingly Grendel strolls the timberland in concordance with the creatures.

He doesn't act like the blood hungry brute he is seen as in Beowulf. In

the novel - Grendel is strolling the backwoods and runs over a doe. He

sees that the doe is gazing in trepidation and abruptly flees. One would

expect from the thoughts implied in Beowulf that Grendel would have assaulted

the deer. However Grendel seems annoyed with the deer's activities. He says; "

Visually impaired Prejudice" (Gardner 7) "Ah, the shamefulness of everything, I say and

shake my head. I have never executed a deer in

all my life, and never will." (Gardner 8)

Grendel is a confounded animal. Since he strolls alone he has more

than enough time to consider his life. He generally used to ask his mom
…show more content…
The novel

shows the thought well. He realizes that the general population dread him in light of the fact that he is

diverse and he utilizes that further bolstering his good fortune. He likewise understands that human

waste all their time considering hypotheses to why life is. As the mythical serpent

says "They would guide out streets through Hell with their nut job hypotheses!"

he likewise tells Grendel "You enhance them my kid ! Wouldn't you be able to see that

yourself? You animate them! You make them think and plan." (Gardener

72) This demonstrates that Grendel is a more unrivaled than mankind is.

At long last Grendel meets Beowulf in the meadhall. He has never met a

human entirely as solid and valiant as this one preceding and he may be, truth be told,

astonished. In spite of the fact that the ballad depicts Grendel as being terrified and feeble, I

accept astonished - clarifies it better. In the wake of getting away from the meadhall

Grendel meanders home dying. In the long run he winds up in a clearing

encompassed by creatures who no more apprehension him. Grendel is not annoyed with

this sudden unforeseen development rather he is cheerful. A presence that

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Since the arrivals of the characters are pretty spread out between negative and positive, Grendel has his ups and downs. At the very beginning of the story, Grendel seems to be a decent character, and it does not seem like he is really out to get anyone. This is especially true when he is a child; he discusses the games he used to play when he was young. One of those games led to Grendel getting caught in the tree (Gardner 18). Then Hrothgar comes in, and the monster’s character somewhat devolves, because he begins to hate the king.…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    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
  • Great Essays

    John Proctor Pride

    • 1650 Words
    • 7 Pages

    What's in a Name? John Proctor, from The Crucible, plays a very important role within the community of Salem. He is looked highly upon by those around him, and his opinion matters, meaning that he influences many. But he portrays one flaw, his pride, which shows to the audience that he is not perfect, yet very relatable to.…

    • 1650 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He can comprehend human ideals, yet still attacks and devours humans for a pastime. However, Grendel also feels regret and remorse for his actions. His conscience humanizes him. His superior intellect also puts him above monsters and animals by having the ability to outwit others. For instance, in chapter 2, as Grendel was being attacked by the bull, he is able to able to figure out how to avoid his horns from impaling his leg. "…

    • 467 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    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
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel In Beowulf

    • 794 Words
    • 4 Pages

    It is evident when it is said that, "his heart laughed, he relished the sight / Intended to tear the life from those bodies . . ." (Beowulf 289-290). Others saw what they thought was joy on the face of Grendel when he entered the mead hall. Grendel's appearance of being eager to kill made him look as if he was confident to continue with his plan. If Grendel was not as confident as he was, he would not have been able to be the successful killer he was known to be.…

    • 794 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    How Does Grendel Change

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages

    However, Grendel finds himself contemplating his surroundings, comparing himself with the animals, and complaining of his situation. Throughout the novel, he discovers, learns, and is influenced by other characters as The Shaper, Beowulf, and The Dragon.…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    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
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel Vs Beowulf

    • 1339 Words
    • 6 Pages

    He is not only full of anger and evil, darkness but he enjoys terrorizing and killing the ones weaker than him so Grendel ran onto the field and grabbed three Geats and slammed them into the ground, the Geats head bounced off the ground like a bouncy ball. When Grendel…

    • 1339 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He succeeds in doing so, but Grendel cannot talk to the humans for one second because they are terrified of him and flee whenever they see him. This, along with the dragon’s advice leads to Grendel’s nihilistic point of view.…

    • 696 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Is Grendel Good Or Evil

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages

    There is now a new point of view on the classic epic, showcasing the personal thoughts and feelings of Grendel. This story shows that he is not an evil beast, he has feelings and thoughts and only commits his crimes as an act of selflessness. One of the many times Grendel has performed an act of terror, he showed remorse for the…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the writings about and/or by Frederick Douglas, we can determine he was highly educated and influential individual of his time, but what made Douglass the man he was? I believe what made him the man he was in the 1800 's was his desire for education and the education of his people, his unyielding persistence in challenging America, his independent views, and his true belief to prove all men equal regardless of color. Frederick Douglas was born in slavery as Frederick Augustus Washington Baily near Easton in Talbot County, Maryland around 1817 or 1818, the exact date is unknown. Douglass’s father is unknown, but believed to been one of the plantation owners, his mother died early in his childhood when he was around 10.…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This scene is an excellent representation of Grendel’s true personality. He is not evil, he is solely led to carry out his evil doings due to his environment. Grendel is merely cursed with this unfortunate…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel's Tragic Hero

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Grendel’s only choice, without this knowing if he is something definite, leads him to take on the only identity that has ever fit, even if it does not fit perfectly. Grendel is a tragic hero, a victim of fate and circumstance, trying unsuccessfully to find his way in the world before his death. His consumption of humans is simply what comes naturally to him and he is a hero for continuing to exist despite his claims that existence is futile and the world is pointless. His heroism is not traditional but it comes in the face of adversity, such as with all…

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Grendel Character Analysis

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Their immediate attacks on him cause Grendel to change. He accepts his fate that the Men have shaped for him and embraced his savagery. This story goes to show that one is what others make him to be. Other people are what create each other, without the views of others, there is no identity. Grendel shows the point of view from a pariah, an exile of society.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays