Jason Chiu, Period 7, 3/11/2024

Jason Chiu
Period 7
3/11/2024
Modern Mythology 2024

Nihilism in Grendel by John Gardner

   In the book Grendel by John Gardner the topic of nihilism is a recurring theme throughout the story, first introduced by the Dragon in chapter 5. The Dragon has an argument with Grendel in which the Dragon claims life has no inherent meaning. He tells Grendel to act like the villain that the people think he is. That his war with the Thanes at the mead hall has driven them to make great advancements in many fields, notably for Grendel in the realm of the arts. Throughout the rest of the book he keeps the words of the Dragon in the back of his mind, constantly being reminded about what he was told. Grendel observes many of the people attached to Hrothgar, including Unferth, the Shaper, and Ork. Unferth is one of Hrothgar’s best warriors who has aspirations for being a great hero, yet he killed his brother to gain power, the Shaper is a musician and storyteller who makes up elaborate stories about the history of Hrothgar’s kingdom and the evil of the beast Grendel while Ork is an old blind priest, persistent in his belief in the old Gods made of stone and wood. As Grendel observes these people he notices all the things that drive them in their lives and is at times angry about his lack of purpose in comparison to them. He attempts to break Unferth’s will, choosing to not give him a hero’s death and sparing him at each one of his raids. The Shaper dies of old age and Grendel laments on the ways he could’ve tortured him and reflects on the power weaved into each of the Shaper’s stories. By pretending to be one of the gods worshiped by Ork, Grendel learns of the power religion can have in contributing to the purpose of one’s life. This is also exemplified in his interactions with various horned animals. They all are stubborn in their ways, especially the goat climbing up the hill. Grendel is jealous of what they have, how they can be satisfied being so stupid and living such dull lives. He wanders aimlessly trying to fill his life with any purpose that he can yet finds it all to be so stupid. The war he started with Hrothgar is a major example of this. For twelve years Grendel visited and attacked Hrothgar’s mead hall, killing many people in the process. Even though he is an enemy of the Thanes, he spends much of his time listening to their conversations or observing them from afar. He wonders why they do the things they do, such as when he watches a man cheat on wife even though he has kids with her. Nihilism in Grendel is often answered with existentialism, accepting that there is no meaning or purpose to life yet individuals must create their own meaning or purpose. Although the Dragon is one of the most nihilistic characters in the novel, he still tells Grendel that his life is what he makes of it and if the humans makes him out to be a monster, then he should be a monster.