Connections in Literature By Grace Becker

As we continue to read different novels throughout this class, I am constantly realizing how many of these books relate. For example, in Beowulf and in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the two creatures in these novels both have different point of views. Grendel, the evil, monstrous demon in Beowulf, has a different point of view than that of what others see him as. In the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, the reader sees a different point of view from Grendel that shows a much softer side to him that changes how you interpret his character. This also relates to Frankenstein's monster. When the point of view changes to his, we learn how his up bringing caused him to become an evil monster and that he was not created this way. It is very interesting how these two novels relate and that the little details in them allow for readers to connect the stories to each other. These two monsters coincide because they both represent the real stories of the monsters that many do not understand. This can also lead to the idea that both monsters are looked at as more evil than they truly were set out to be.

Dialogue says it all! Grace Becker

When it comes to how a character is portrayed,  the point of view plays a major role. However, the dialogue spoken reveals many key points as well. For example, in Grendel by John Gardner, and the epic, Beowulf, the character Grendel, is presented in two completely different ways. In Beowulf we are given the image that Grendel is a dark, monstrous, beast. We never are informed of Grendel's voice in this story or what he thinks. Therefore, we automatically are forced to believe the story told from this perspective. Because of this, we are not able to look at Grendel with sympathy and can only see him as evil and heartless. In Grendel, we are able to hear Grendel's voice and see his thoughts, helping the reader understand the perspective of Grendel more clearly. At one point in the story of Grendel, he says, "'Why can't I have someone to talk to?' I said. The stars said nothing, but I pretended to ignore the rudeness" (Gardner 53). Grendel's alienation from the rest of society makes him feel alone and like an outcast to his surroundings. Due to this, and the fact that the people attack Grendel while he is helplessly innocent, is what leads to Grendel to his evil and aggressive behavior. We would never know the true side of Grendel if it wasn't expressed through his words in the story Grendel. 

 

GRENDEL: Demonic Soul or Lonely and Envious

GRENDEL: 

Demonic Soul OR Lonely and Envious?

by Julia Loewen

Grendel, one of the terrifying monsters in Beowulf, is portrayed as ugly and evil as possible, living in the lonesome swamps outside of Heorot. Every night, after watching men laugh and sing in Heorot, he goes into the Hall and kills the people without the slightest bit of mercy. Though envy cannot be used as an excuse for this crime, it can be argued that Grendel is not the heartless, evil demon that he may seem to be to the characters of Beowulf. 

Grendel was notorious in his time for his merciless, malevolent actions, but no one seemed to stop and think of life in the eyes of Grendel. He spent day after day watching the men of Heorot live their perfect lives, while he lurked the lifeless swamps outside of the Hall. When night came, he had heard enough of their songs and laughter, and took his jealousy and anger out on the people.  The next morning, the other men who, "...knew not of sorrow, misery of men, aught of misfortune"(3) failed to see Grendel's sad, lonely soul under all of his anger and jealousy. Grendel's actions were very immoral, but his lonesome soul could have been the root of his evil. 

To other Beowulf readers, Grendel may seem to be filled with nothing but sin. Grendel was a real-life nightmare to the innocent people of Heorot, and his soul had no emotion but rage. He destroyed the lives of many when he came into the Hall, "...grim and ravenous, savage and raging..."(3), and a soul like that does not have any emotion but depravity.
Ultimately, Grendel was a deserted soul by day, and a vicious murderer by night. The question is, deep down inside, was Grendel not as evil as he seemed?