As Grendel’s hatred grows, he begins to realize that he is the monster in this complex relationship with humans. He has already seen human aggression against him because of their differences, but the Shaper begins to give an explanation for this. The Shaper explains that he must be evil; for he descended from evil itself, and is cast away from God, cursed forever (Grendel 51). Grendel believed the Shaper, and let this idea that he truly was evil corrode and eat at him. he keeps telling himself that he can’t be more evil than the Danes are to themselves, but his subconscious begins to ask him if he really could be the monster, and this is summarized with: “Why, not? the darkness hissed around me. Why not? teasing, tormenting, as cold as
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Become something, as if I was born again,” and “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings!” (Gardner 80). This is important because it symbolizes what he is picking up from the humans, and the ways that he really isn’t much different from them at all. He has adopted the same pride and arrogance for his deeds that he had condemned the Danes for doing. It is hypocritical, but also shows that the line between a monster and a man is quite thin indeed. Later in the novel, the role and relationship that Grendel has with the Danes continues to evolve, and their paths continue to intertwine. Grendel’s need for humans to exist becomes more and more apparent. He begins to see himself as a balance to humans, he believes that humans must constantly be challenged, yet just like a human Grendel needs to take pride in his work. He has no doubt that he could destroy Herot, but he convinces himself to never do it, asking himself “What will we call the Hrothgar-Wrecker when Hrothgar has been wrecked?” (Gardner 91). Despite Grendel seeing the idea of heroism as stupid and a basic human practice, he acts as an anti-hero with his own form of heroism. This shows the ways that humans and monsters are similar, that both will have similar values, even while having
Become something, as if I was born again,” and “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings!” (Gardner 80). This is important because it symbolizes what he is picking up from the humans, and the ways that he really isn’t much different from them at all. He has adopted the same pride and arrogance for his deeds that he had condemned the Danes for doing. It is hypocritical, but also shows that the line between a monster and a man is quite thin indeed. Later in the novel, the role and relationship that Grendel has with the Danes continues to evolve, and their paths continue to intertwine. Grendel’s need for humans to exist becomes more and more apparent. He begins to see himself as a balance to humans, he believes that humans must constantly be challenged, yet just like a human Grendel needs to take pride in his work. He has no doubt that he could destroy Herot, but he convinces himself to never do it, asking himself “What will we call the Hrothgar-Wrecker when Hrothgar has been wrecked?” (Gardner 91). Despite Grendel seeing the idea of heroism as stupid and a basic human practice, he acts as an anti-hero with his own form of heroism. This shows the ways that humans and monsters are similar, that both will have similar values, even while having