...Conor Mr. Judson English 12 A 3rd 19 May 2015 Grendel In Beowulf, Grendel is depicted as a vicious, bloodthirsty monster that is attacking the citizens for no reason. In Grendel, Gardner attempts to shine some light on one of the most well known monsters in literature. The reader sees that it is not just Grendel’s nature that leads him to kill people. They also see Grendel as a character with a mind, something that he is devoid of in Beowulf, having no lines, only an extended battle scene. The way that Gardner fleshed out Grendel’s mind was, I thought, very interesting. There was nothing he could work with in Beowulf since there was no dialogue between Grendel and Beowulf, although, Grendel screaming when he gets his arm chopped off by Beowulf could count. So, Gardner was able to do whatever he wanted with this character. Gardner changed Grendel, giving him justifications for his hate of men and for the reason that he has decided to terrorize Hrothgar’s hall every night. Gardner depicts Grendel as a creature that is intelligent and observant of the world. This depiction gives him justification for his actions in Beowulf. Grendel observes Hrothgar’s men for years before he decides to terrorize them. The things he witnesses during his observations are disloyalty and deception. Grendel does not understand how these men can constantly wage war against each other and then tell stories of their greatness. This frustrates him. The Shaper makes...
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...From the book “From Beowulf” I will be talking about how Beowulf and Grendel are alike and different. Grendel and Beowulf are the two main characters in the book. Beowulf in the book is like a hero. Grendel is the demon, monster in the book. Meanwhile, they both are very powerful. However, I will be telling you things about both, Beowulf, and Grendel and how they both relate to each other, but yet are the opposite of each other. Beowulf was known as a great warrior, but also as a hero. Beowulf was very handsome, and had big muscles. He was a young prince who had gathered his men to sail over the sea to the Danes. He went there because he heard how evil Grendel was and wanted to help. Beowulf was very brave and had confidence in himself. He...
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...Topic sentence/Detail: In the poem Beowulf, Grendel and Beowulf perform actions that make them a hero or villain. Thesis: The difference between Grendel and Beowulf is one is evil and the other is good. Similarities between Grendel and Beowulf are both feel satisfied after they fight someone and win and in the end they both accept their deaths. Body 1: Good and evil Topic sentence: A difference between Beowulf and Grendel is that one is a hero and the other is a monster. Beowulf defeats Grendel to end years of suffering in Herot hall. Grendel is the monster who eats men in Herot hall for 12 winters. Quote 1: For example lines 37-38 Grendel “snatched up thirty men, smashed...
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...In the story Grendel by John Gardner he makes a comment and says “Poor Grendel’s had an accident… So may you all.” This particular quote can be both a blessing and a curse, but can also be a blind and non meaningful statement. The reason this quote was said was because Grendel had his arm torn off by a man named Beowulf. “Beowulf twists Grendel’s arm around in the socket, causing him pain unlike any he has ever felt.” (Gardner 12). This may or may not be one of the reasons that the quote is stated. The quote “Poor Grendel’s had an accident… So may you all.” Is pretty much saying all the men that have been around Grendel and witnessed this will have the same fate they will be killed and go through the same pain that young Grendel went through....
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...Beowulf and Grendel are alike and they are different in certain ways. Beowulf is the epic hero in this poem. He has characteristics such as bravery and strength. Grendel is the villain in this poem. Grendel is also fearless and wants to win the battle just like Beowulf. Beowulf is human and Grendel is supernatural. Beowulf wants fame and he’s a part of a social structure. Grendel on the other hand is not part of a social structure, he’s an outcast. Beowulf’s expectations was to get a victory so that he could have the fame. He was brave to battle with Grendel. Everybody saw Beowulf as courageous after he won the battle. Beowulf is also known for performing great deeds. After his victory, Beowulf became the king of the Geats. However, Beowulf showed fairness by not...
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...Grendel is a symbol of the Shadow. Jung says that the Shadow is the other “us” that we disliked or do not want to be. But we can also see it in our weaknesses and failings. That is why people write novels and legends about heroes defeating the monsters or the evil forces. The monsters and the evil forces are the Shadow, they are who we imagine that would represent our weaknesses. For example, Grendel from Beowulf, Grendel was the loner of the community. He was banned from society and has to live in swamps. While Grendel represents the Shadow in a more imaginary way, Unferth from Beowulf was almost the same as Grendel, except he was a man just like the rest of us. Having him in the story shows us about the Shadow in a more realistic way. Everyone has a...
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...Throughout much of the novel Grendel faces a defining struggle- one between good and evil. He spends much of his years attempting to discover, and even fight his destiny. Grendel starts out the same as all humans, innocent and curious. He spent his childhood alone, his mother being the only creature that would keep him company. Grendel repeatedly tries to communicate with the humans, but consistently failed. As he becomes older and wiser, he starts to realize that he will not ever be able to get the Shieldings to see eye to eye with him. They will always see him as a disgusting, terrible monster. Eventually, Grendel is able to embrace this and fulfill his destiny as the Destroyer and Wrecker of Kings. At first, Grendel is a young, naïve creature, exploring the world around him just as young creatures do. He is not yet aware of his evil destiny; he is just lonely. Upon his first interaction with the Shieldings, Grendel is stuck in a tree, dying. The men discover him, and decide that he is hungry for pig. They are unsure if he is friendly or not: “‘Pig!’ I tried to yell. It scared them… the king snatched an ax from the man beside him and, without any warning, he hurled it at me” (113). The humans attacked until Grendel’s mother saved him, and Grendel came to a horrible realization ”The world resists me and I resist the world… That’s all there is…I exist, nothing else” (115). At this point, Grendel is starting to view the world very differently, and is discovering...
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...Beowulf Part 1 * Grendel is introduced -murderous;evil;fiend;demon -In pain -Compared to the Devil * Why is Grendel evil? * He is a monster * Descendant form Cain * Grendel wants to feel loved by a higher power but cannot because Cains curse is on him -Grendel kills because of his misery and misery always enjoys company THEME: Light Vs. Darkness Hrothgar= Light Grendel= Darkness(Evil) * We see that Hrothgars men are happy and loyal Part 2 * Grendel slaughters 30 men in their sleep; he is ruthless * Grendel continues to kill for the next 12 winters * Hrothgar cannot be touched by Grendel -The Kings’ thrown is divine therefore Grendel will not touch it; it’s a boundary * Hrothgar does not care about his men * Hrothgar is selfish and a coward * He will not ask for help because of his pride * Men that volunteer to fight Grendel are doing it only for the glory Part 3 * Beowulf is introduced as an epic hero * Hrothgar did not seek help because of his pride; he is too proud * Characteristics that prove Beowulf is an epic hero: -loved by the Geats -going on a quest -mightiest men -strong -bitter and fresh -risking death Part 4 * Wulfgar request that Beowulf remove all weapons before entering onto the premises; he wants to leave these men defenseless to keep Hrothgar’ safe; Anglo Saxon Code of Conduct * Beowulf is not a fool so some men drop their weapons to follow him into Herot while the...
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...Beowulf fighting Grendel When Grendel had returned to Herot again he found that Hrothgar’s home was much more defended than before. Grendel, incredibly upset, went up to the door and tore it open, rushing into the hall angrily. Inside, he found all of Beowulf’s sleeping soldiers throughout the hall. Grendel was extremely joyous to find so much fresh meat for himself. He was ready to take these lives that night. Little did he know this would be his last meal. Many watched him, waiting to see those sharp claws. Grendel approached a Geat and took hold of the poor soul, tearing him to shreds with his powerful jaws. He drank all of the soldier’s blood and finished the deed with one strong bite. Grendel then moved to another still body, clutching the next victim in his claws. Before he could make another move however, Grendel was immediately seized in his prey’s hands. Beowulf had grabbed onto his claws, bending them backwards as he leaned towards the beast on one arm. In that moment,...
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...What does Beowulf say about himself and what he intends to do? When Beowulf enters Hrothgar's presence he tells him of his past courageous victories. He tells Hrothgar that he intends to fight Grendel without weapons, using only his hands. 12. How did Hrothgar help Beowulf's father in the past? Hrothgar told Beowulf that he helped his father in the past by ending a feud that he had started between him and the Wulfing tribe, by sending them ancient treasures. 13. What does Unferth say to Beowulf, and why? Unferth reminds Beowulf about a swimming race that Beowulf competed in against Brecca, and lost. He tells Beowulf that he will surely be defeated in the battle against Grendel. Unferth says this because he is envious of Beowulf's accomplishments, and jealous of all the fame and glory he earned, and the courage that he had. 14. How does Beowulf respond to Unferth? Beowulf is unshaken by Unferth's taunts, and after saying that Unferth is drunk, he tells them what really happened with the swimming race against Brecca. He explained that after five nights in the freezing sea, he was attacked by nine sea monsters, and slayed them all. Beowulf said that neither Brecca nor Unferth...
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...Lineage in Beowulf Progeny often inherit parental attributes, shaped by uncontrollable factors. Traits that originate from distant ancestors can express themselves in future generations. Such is the case regarding the beast Grendel in the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. Isolated from the rest of society, Grendel is depicted as a violent and evil being. The negative portrayal of Grendel, a deformed monster descending from the biblical outcast Cain, highlights the importance of familial ties in Anglo-Saxon culture; the anonymous author implies that individuals are defined by their lineage, predestining one’s character. Grendel’s destructive actions against Heorot display his inherited trait...
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...also showed throughout this epic as having the ability to cleanse evil. Even though evil is presented by Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, who are filled with a desire to act against people and ultimately destroy them, even pride, a human quality, is presented in Beowulf as a sign that evil exists. This story might even be considered a classic because it mainly talks about the old fashion good vs. evil, hero vs. villain. Beowulf and the three monsters show the significant difference between good and evil, and why god will always prevail. At the beginning of the play, one reads about Grendel, who is a man eating monster who is feared by everyone. Grendel represents sin and evil throughout the story in various ways. Evil is first shown by the monster Grendel when, “Suddenly then the God-cursed brute was creating havoc: greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men from their resting places and rushed to his lair”. (Beowulf 120-124). Grendel lives in the darkness and has absolutely no remorse on human life. This shows a very big quality of an evil being and how the Anglo-Saxons viewed evil in forms of monsters. Evil is also thought to be greedy and according to the poem, Grendel’s “thoughts were as quick as his greed.” Christian beliefs were brought up through Grendel’s evil when mentioning his home and how he lives in hell and made his home there instead of Earth. Grendel is said to had “dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan,” (Beowulf 104-106),...
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...the book and movie are that they both include the same characters. The majority of characters and their attitudes in the movie are almost identical to that of the book. In addition, in Beowulf’s battle against Grendel, he rids Grendel of the vicious beast’s arm. The Danes are then overjoyed with the defeat of the terrorizing monster they cringed from for so long and celebrate with an abundance of mead and drunken slurs. They then hang Grendel’s slaughtered arm for all to see as a form of a victory flag. Finally, Beowulf is responsible for the death of both Grendel and his vengeance-filled mother. The many differences that contrast both are found in the portrayal of Grendel and Beowulf’s fathers. In addition, the way the outcome of the plot ends and the manners in which the dragon presents itself. The similarities are slight compared to the differences, but they still play a vastly crucial role in comparing the composition of the book to the movie. The differences of both are more accumulative than the similarities, but never the less factual. The characters that play a leading role in the story are Beowulf (the epic warrior and savior), Grendel (the vicious beast that is terrorizing the Danes), Hrothgar (the king of the Danes, whose realm gets terrorized by Grendel), and Grendel’s mother (vengeful beast that seeks revenge on Beowulf for the death of her child.)...
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...amongst the people, Beowulf experienced many battles and ended up victorious to his last breath. Out of the many battles Beowulf had, three specific battles stand out to show how Beowulf evolved as a warrior. These battles are; the battle with Grendel, the battle with Grendel’s mother, and the battle with a dragon. The progress achieved in each battle proved to be constructive to his wisdom as a warrior. The first battle took place in the land of the Danes with, “This grim spirit called Grendel, / mighty stalker of the marches,” (Beowulf 103-104). Grendel terrorized the mead hall named “Heorot.” This terrorizing of the mead hall, by Grendel, took place for twelve long winters in the Danish land. Word of this terrorizing reached the ears of Beowulf which caused him and his army to travel to land of the Danes. Grendel’s terror consisted of sneaking upon sleeping soldiers in the mead hall and fulfilling his bloodlust and hatred by slaying the Danish soldiers. As said before this slaying took place for twelve winters. At this point, Beowulf is a young and naïve soldier. This is shown by his battle with the monster Grendel. Instead of going into battle with armor, weapons, and anything else that would give Beowulf the upper hand on Grendel, he keeps the playing field even: and so I will not kill him with a sword, put an end to his life, though I easily might; he knows no arts of war, no way to strike back, hack at my shield-boss, though he be brave in his wicked deeds;...
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...After Grendel and Beowulf fight, Grendel, no with one arm, returns to his home to die. Grendel’s mother goes to where the men are sleeping and she eats the king’s best warrior out of revenge for her son. The king calls Beowulf back to fight Grendel’s mom, who is also a witch. During this battle, he gets badly hurt and almost dies because of her spells and he realizes that this wonderful sword is unable to hurt her so he then decides to go in bare handed. “He tossed his sword aside, 505Angry; the steel-edged blade lay where He’d dropped it. If weapons were useless he’d use His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame Comes to the men who mean to win it And care about nothing else!” (Lines 504-509 from The Battle with Grendel’s Mother). He ends up defeating her, and returns from the lair with the head of Grendel as a...
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