The way Grendel is portrayed in the novel is much more different then he is described in the epic poem Beowulf because Grendel in the novel shows curiosity, has empathy towards others, and wants to be known as a normal being instead of a monster. Grendel’s appearance would scare anyone the way it was described in the book and the poem, therefore it would be reasonable for people to jump to conclusions and assume he’s there to cause havoc. But Grendel appears for different reasons, he’s just curious. In the novel there is a scene where Grendel states “that night I saw men” (Gardner 23). This scene is when Grendel spies on men riding on their horses while in a tree. Intriguing his curiosity, he tells us how men are just like his species but
