Jarrod Tasnady
Ms. Felegy
Honors English III
22 November 2015 Comparison of the Grendel of Beowulf and Gardner's Grendel
The story of Grendel written by John Gardner shows different image of Grendel than that of the poem Beowulf shows of him. Grendel is a beast-like creature that has a hand full of human qualities. In both stories it is not said exactly what type of animal Grendel is, nor does it tell exactly what Grendel looks like. The only idea that is given from the authors of Grendel is a small description. He stands on two feet as a human would, he is covered in hair all over his body, and he is monstrous and larger than an average human being.
Although there are many significant differences between the two stories there is one idea that stands out the most in Grendel. That idea is in the poem Beowulf, Grendel is portrayed a large beast. This gives the reader the feeling that Grendel is mainly driven by his animal instincts and does …show more content…
He has never encountered a human as powerful and courageous as Beowulf before and he is surprised. However the poem shows it as if Grendel is frightened and no match for Beowulf. After running away from the mead hall Grendel runs to his lair in blood and beat up. Finally he finds himself in a field with animals who no longer are scared of him. Grendel is not surprised or mad at this, but for some stange reason, he’s filled with Joy. This example is revealed when he states "Is this joy I feel." While Grendel is about to die, he realizes that the animals are looking at him and say "Poor Grendel's had an accident, So may you all." Grendel’s death shows that he is glad to leave this world. The part in the novel is very distant from the poem. " There the lake water boiled with blood, terrible surgings, a murky swirl of hot dark ooze, deep sword-blood; death fated he hid joyless in the fen, his dark stronghold, till he gave up life, his heathen soul; there Hell received
Ms. Felegy
Honors English III
22 November 2015 Comparison of the Grendel of Beowulf and Gardner's Grendel
The story of Grendel written by John Gardner shows different image of Grendel than that of the poem Beowulf shows of him. Grendel is a beast-like creature that has a hand full of human qualities. In both stories it is not said exactly what type of animal Grendel is, nor does it tell exactly what Grendel looks like. The only idea that is given from the authors of Grendel is a small description. He stands on two feet as a human would, he is covered in hair all over his body, and he is monstrous and larger than an average human being.
Although there are many significant differences between the two stories there is one idea that stands out the most in Grendel. That idea is in the poem Beowulf, Grendel is portrayed a large beast. This gives the reader the feeling that Grendel is mainly driven by his animal instincts and does …show more content…
He has never encountered a human as powerful and courageous as Beowulf before and he is surprised. However the poem shows it as if Grendel is frightened and no match for Beowulf. After running away from the mead hall Grendel runs to his lair in blood and beat up. Finally he finds himself in a field with animals who no longer are scared of him. Grendel is not surprised or mad at this, but for some stange reason, he’s filled with Joy. This example is revealed when he states "Is this joy I feel." While Grendel is about to die, he realizes that the animals are looking at him and say "Poor Grendel's had an accident, So may you all." Grendel’s death shows that he is glad to leave this world. The part in the novel is very distant from the poem. " There the lake water boiled with blood, terrible surgings, a murky swirl of hot dark ooze, deep sword-blood; death fated he hid joyless in the fen, his dark stronghold, till he gave up life, his heathen soul; there Hell received