Grendel And The Dragon Analysis

Improved Essays
Show More
This passage illustrates the contrasting image of Grendel and the dragon. While both emulate the evil and darkness that man despises and rejects, Grendel is much less selfish, cynical and nihilistic than the dragon. Both Grendel and dragon come from darkness. Grendel is an anathema of God, as he lives in a cave in the pits of darkness where light does not shine except the one fire. Similarly, the dragon dwells in a cave that is lit only by is fire and the reflection of his jewels. Despite their similar background, Grendel’s purpose and the dragon’s purpose contrast greatly. The dragon settles in a nihilistic, selfish worldview. He sees his purpose as “to count all this [gold]…and possibly sort it into piles.” He merely protects the very possessions

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Monstrosity In Grendel
    • 1824 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Theme Of Monstrosity In Grendel

    Grendel is an existentialist, meaning that he believes that no true purpose to life exists, but that one must create their own purpose of living. “I would feel, all at once, alone and ugly, almost- as if I 'd dirtied myself- obscene” (Gardner 17). Grendel presumes that the concluding result- not the afterlife conclusion, but rather the legacy- of his life will be a direct reflection of the things that he has done throughout his existence. Grendel wishes that, upon his death, he would be remembered in retrospect as intimidating, fierce, and powerful.…

    • 1824 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Grendel's Attitudes To Atoms, Dust To Dust: Chapter Review
    • 1388 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Grendel's Attitudes To Atoms, Dust To Dust: Chapter Review

    He presents Grendel with his complex philosophy of nihilism, stressing the lack of meaning not merely of individual lives, but rather of the universe as a whole, emphasizing the inevitability of the eventual destruction and reemergence of everything in existence. The dragon has dedicated his life to the accumulation and hoarding of gold and treasure;…

    • 1388 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Christian Symbols In Beowulf
    • 138 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Christian Symbols In Beowulf

    The Christian symbols and representations apparent in Grendel, his mother, and the parallel between Heorot and the cave are balances between good and evil. A brief history of the poem is offered due to the fact that the reader should know why the second part of the poem is so debatable. By looking at the fight with the dragon and Beowulf’s pride it is obvious that there was a shift from the Old Testament to the morals of Christian ideology and of Beowulf’s beginning to his end. He fought in a society where fighting was life. He began a hero fighting evil and died with pride in fighting.…

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

    How Did The Dragon Influence Grendel's Decisions
    • 196 Words
    • 1 Pages

    How Did The Dragon Influence Grendel's Decisions

    He has the intelligence and the capability to reroute his actions, but he chooses not to. The dragon did indeed have a serious affect on Grendel’s decision making skills. Grendel was obviously born with the ability to cause harm to others including himself, however a different outcome might have come from the monster had his mother and the dragon influence his choices. In adition, the as stated, the fact that no mortal blade could have any affect on the beast did nothing but help him realize how farther from being human he was, inducing his violent urge. It is shown in text that Grendel considered his actions and questioned himself multiple times, however in the end it was ultimately his choice.…

    • 196 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Character Influences In Grendel, By John Gardner
    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Character Influences In Grendel, By John Gardner

    Why is it that the influences of others affect characters – and real-life people – as much as they do? In the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, there are four specific characters that had a visibly large effect on Grendel. Of course, every character in the book had some sort of influence on Grendel. In addition, it is clear that his character traits evolved from the beginning of the story to the end.…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Grendel As A Monster Born Of Cain Analysis
    • 106 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Grendel As A Monster Born Of Cain Analysis

    Known as “a monster born of Cain” in John Gardner’s Grendel, Grendel rebels against what he considers a meaningless, preposterous world. Reuben Sanchez of Fresno State University concludes that Grendel gives value and meaning to the world of man and, in return, that man defines life for Grendel. In short, Sanchez explores the development of Grendel and his admission of insanity: his own and the worlds’. Sanchez, however, believes that Grendel must “hold fast” to the truth in a world of disorder. With this in mind, the reader is left with the same question Grendel asks himself before his demise, “Is it joy…

    • 106 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Grendel's Evil In Beowulf
    • 155 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Grendel's Evil In Beowulf

    Grendel, since he is a descendent of Cain, is one that is cursed by God himself, forced to wage “his lonely war, inflicting constant cruelties” on people (116: line:164-165). I would say that he is evil because of the hatred of his neighbors have made him bitter, but he is also evil because he is a demon. They call him a “fiend out of hell”, one that loves to work evil in the world (114: line 100). Even though he may be bitter because of the resentment, the fact that he is a demon that came out of hell makes him a monster, something that is evil from the roots of his origin. He is linked to the man Cain who was cursed by God himself for killing his own brother, an event that would conjure up significant resentment of the human race, part of…

    • 155 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent 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

    Hero In Beowulf
    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hero In Beowulf

    The Dragon’s obligation in this book was to basically justify Grendel ’s want and greed for violence against the…

    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel's Morality In Beowulf
    • 810 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Grendel's Morality In Beowulf

    The saying “there are two sides to every story” rings especially true when comparing the various personas of Grendel throughout the poem, Beowulf, the story, Grendel, and the YouTube clip shown in class. Grendel’s characterization varies greatly in the movie, book and poem equally. The contrasting viewpoints play off of the theme “Morality vs. Instinct”. Also, Grendel’s character differs based upon the perspective of the writer and his prior experiences with Grendel. However, Grendel’s action remain constant throughout each outlet.…

    • 810 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    John Gardner's Grendel: Good Or Evil?
    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages

    John Gardner's Grendel: Good Or Evil?

    All Grendel wants is a friend, but his wish cannot be granted. This complication is magnified when the dragon places a curse on Grendel that prohibits him from being harmed by human weapons. “Now, invulnerable, I was as solitary as one live tree in a vast landscape of coal” (75). Throughout Grendel’s life he is gradually feeling more and more isolated. This desolation is a logical cause of Grendel’s destructive…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Compare And Contrast Grendel And The Monster
    • 1404 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Grendel And The Monster

    Monsters The Frankenstein and Grendel novels, both contain the stories of some of literature’s most famous monsters. The characters in these stories exist to remind the world of the pain that stems from rejection and of the consequences of that pain. Grendel and the “Monster” from Frankenstein explored the realms of men in search of acceptance from them and were both met with cruel rejection. Although their stories were written during different time periods, both characters share many characteristics, story elements and overall themes.…

    • 1404 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Grendel's Tragic Hero
    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Grendel's Tragic Hero

    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
    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
  • Improved Essays

    Darkness In Beowulf
    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Darkness In Beowulf

    Both Cain and Grendel commit the mortal sins of murder and are a disappointment in the eyes of God. Since Cain and Grendel both represent the sinful nature of humans, Grendel and the other monsters who dwell and attack at nighttime are manifestations of sin and evil. Additional evidence that darkness equates to sin is through the inference that Beowulf represents the Christian Savior, Jesus Christ. Beowulf, the slayer…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

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