Connor Lee, Period 6, 2/28/23

 Literacy and Learning

For a little over a month, our mythology class has been following the story of Grendel, written by John Gardner. It displays the classic story of Beowulf from a unique perspective of the main antagonist. The tale gives insight into the intricacies and thought processes of a creature that we as a society would consider a “monster”. It dives into many controversial ideas and topics such as heroism, nihilism and purpose in the world. 

Heroism in Grendel is portrayed through several different means and perspectives. One of them is through Unferth, who after being humiliated in battle, follows Grendel to his cave and there challenges him to a duel. Unferth shows heroism in a way that represents glory and purpose to serve both the people and his king. He challenges Grendel as a way to seek revenge and to regain his honor. However, Grendel realizes this and chooses to not only spare him, but to keep him alive every time he would attack the mead hall as a way of mocking him. This concept of heroism is questioned by Grendel when he has a discussion with the dragon, who says that humans have a twisted sense of heroism, and that they all do it for underlying purposes. This is again portrayed in Beowulf who is seen as a brave and noble warrior to the people, but to Grendel, a man doing deeds for fame and glory.

Another major concept in the story is nihilism and purpose in life. Having been around for hundreds of years, one of the reasons that Grendel begins to raid the mead hall is due to his boredom and wanting to learn more about humans. He also wants to find his purpose as he often feels isolated and not knowing what to do. A quote that portrays Grendel’s situation is, “Tedium is the worst pain” In his conversation with the dragon, someone that has lived all of time and is in the past, present and future, he is advised by one that has lived for far longer than himself to embrace his destructive nature and continue to take it out on mankind as a way to find his purpose. Towards the end of the story Grendel is warned about Beowulf by many sources, one of which is from his own mother. However, he ignores these warnings and decides to face the “hero” anyways, portraying Grendel’s acceptance with death and his purpose in being the antagonist of Beowulf’s story.