Grendel explores the psychological development of the titular protagonist to gain an insight into his previously oversimplified persona. It is immediately shown that Grendel is not a mindless savage. “The doe...never will.” (7-8). His refusal to harm the deer displays his conscience, but it also shows his severe communication constraints. A person can be like Grendel and think philosophically, but if he or she can’t articulate so much as a simple greeting, then one’s social standing is unfavorable. Grendel may have the capacity for violence, but he would rather play a constructive role in human society given the chance. “Drunken men...protection.” (52). Aside from the ironic humor in that situation, Grendel fails to articulate himself and thus
