Symbolism In Grendel

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In John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, Grendel’s last words are meant as a curse towards mankind and the animals who gather to watch him die. Grendel is seen throughout the story adopting a hatred towards humans which makes these words a curse. Grendel hatred first shown when he states “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhall, Wrecker of Kings” (Gardner 80). Grendel is split now between believing the truth that he does not alone exist or continue to carry out his killing spree on humans but in turn, proves the humans actually are independent creatures. When Grendel first appear in the story, he can be seen as an intelligent being that adopted solipsism, throughout the story his personality changed drastically which causes him to curse the humans at the

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