Moreover, as Grendel trudges through his “pointless” life, he searches for his own individualistic meaning of life. 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. This is his reason for instilling fear upon the commonfolk; Grendel desires the
