Grendel's View Of The Danes: Chapter Analysis

Between the story, "Grendel", and the beliefs of the Anglo Saxon culture, there are many similarities. Such as in the story, there is a setting of a place named, "Herot" which is a mead hall and in the Anglo Saxon culture, mead halls were also present at the time. Although in the poem, the hall is attacked by the beast, it was actually a place where everyone can meet up and be friendly with one another. In Anglo Saxon culture, that is exactly what they are used for.

Philosophical symbolism in Grendel In the novel Grendel the shaper and the dragon both talk about life. The Shaper has a good view point of life and the dragon has a bad view point of life. The Shaper talks about what the universe and world around us has to offer through his stories.

What makes a monster? In media, monsters are often portrayed as terrifying beings that wreak havoc wherever they go. In fact, the definition of monster is “a strange or horrible and often frightening creature” (“Monster”). However, monsters are not always so easy to identify – they exist in virtually every community in society. If to be strange or horrible is to be a monster, then, in a slightly more abstract line of thinking, humans can also be monsters.

The Present-Day Grendel All throughout history, common peace has been disturbed time and time again by a variety of monsters. In the epic Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, three monsters are presented who have many different traits and virtues. Grendel, from Beowulf, has innumerable qualities that can be found in the monsters that lurk our world today. On the other hand, Kylie Jenner is predominantly known for being the worst role model for young girls today. Kylie Jenner is a modern day monster who has connections to Grendel due to her isolation, her lack of a father, and societies negative coverage of her life.

Prepared to spill the blood of unsuspecting, intoxicated warriors in their slumber, Grendel fleetly removed the strengthened door to the Herot with monstrous strength and cruelty. Grendel's strides were expansive. With every step, the beast's huge, thickened feet much flew, one once the opposite. the ground gave the impression to be instantly displaced owing to his spectacular lightness. " His eyes gleamed within the darkness, burned with a grotesque light".

As she draws near the Hall of Hearts she hears the celebration of the Danes as they shout, “Well met Beowolf, Excellent kill, Down with Grendel”. Infuriated she waits until the dead of night to spring an attack. “They DARE celebrate the death of my son, Death, ruin, and destruction I shall rain upon them for their insolence. They shall feel the agony of losing those close to them!” she rages as she severs the head from the guard posted outside bursts through the hall’s large wooden doors, grabbing another drunken idiot.

The actions of others is what absolutely counts. What any creature does determine what he is and how he thinks of himself. In the novel known as Grendel, written by John Gardner, Grendel has a dynamic self-image of himself since he was slaughter people. Grendel is what many psychologist would declare to be a sociopath. For he has no remorse and he is anti-social.

He lurches in, groaning, grabbing at the emptiness that used to be his arm. Stumbling around for a few moments, Grendel, my son, my window of happiness in the darkness of my life, slumps against the wall. I scream, my anguish blinding me, choking the air out of my lungs. I feel like cold, wet hands are wrapping around my throat- but I need to be strong.

At the end of Chapter 12, Grendel’s last words were “Poor Grendel’s had an accident … So may you all.” (Gardner 174). Such words are meant as a curse to affect mankind. To start off, Grendel’s relationship with humans are not great.

Shadow Stalker, God-cursed Grendel, The Captain of Evil, and Monster are all nicknames of one creature. This one creature was named Grendel who brilliantly said “Balance is everything”. For Grendel to figure out that balance, or in other words the yin and yang, is integral to living says a lot about a “murderer.” Grendel cannot live without a hero and a hero cannot live without a challenge. The humans symbolize the hero withstanding the forces of Grendel, while Grendel symbolizes the villain trying to hurt and dismantle the hero.

Point of view is an essential component of Grendel because it gives us a perspective of how Grendel sees the world. Having the ability to view the story from the eyes of Grendel gives the reader insight into how Grendel thinks, how he sees people, and how people see him. The first person point of view in Grendel reveals a deeper understanding of how isolation can shape one’s existence and change them over time. When Grendel was younger, he was a curious creature who was intrigued but terrified of the outside world. The first person viewpoint of the story allows us to see how the way the humans treated Grendel took away his innocence and isolated him.

The common characteristics of what makes a monster have remained constant throughout society: evil, isolated, violent. Monsters have no regards for social normatives, and cause chaos and destruction wherever they go. Grendel is no exception. In Beowulf, Grendel manifests every characteristic of a stereotypical monster. He is considered inherently evil, and is an outcast; he roams alone and commits devilish atrocities whenever he pleases.

In the book Grendel he seems to change throughout the book. At the beginning of the story Grendel is sensitive , immature and very lonely. Giving a feeling of sympathy . That all changes when Grendel talks to The Dragon. When Grendel first meet The Dragon he was afraid of it. He was so terrified to ask him questions.

John Gardner gave Grendel emotions that the reader was able to see and hear through his own words. Grendel told tales of his childhood causing the reader to become invested in Grendel’s past giving the feeling of a connection. As in the way he describes instances of his imaginative play, “I use to play games when I was young…explored our far-flung underground world in an endless wargame of leaps onto nothing…quick whispered plottings with invisible friends” (Gardner 15). Consequently, this information gives the feeling of sympathy for Grendel, for his lonely childhood and circumstance. Gardner continues to play on the sympathies of the reader after Grendel’s first interaction with the Danes.

Similarly, the author's choice of words puts an emphasis on the grief the characters and the author felt. After Grendel's attack, the people of Hrothgar cry out, implying the author feels that this event is sad and emotional. Although the author doesn't personally experience losing someone, he conveys having a heavy heart.