ipl-logo

Grendel's Solipsism Analysis

751 Words4 Pages

The word “evil,” according to Merriam-Webster, means “morally bad.” With such a vague definition, how can one discern the truth behind what is good and what is evil? John Gardner’s novel Grendel provides multiple philosophical outlooks demystifying the epic poem Beowulf’s antagonist. Grendel is a monster, however Gardner clearly asserts through multiple philosophies that not all monsters are inherently evil. Grendel proves not to be evil due to his belief in solipsism. Solipsism is manifested in Grendel’s recurring and crippling loneliness, his understanding of solipsism affecting others, and Gardner’s achievement in eliciting sympathy for Grendel.

The main pillar of solipsism is that one’s consciousness is all that can be real. Grendel understands this, and as readers gain knowledge of Grendel’s inner turmoils, one can plainly see that Grendel only believes in his own …show more content…

When Grendel is faced by the protective bull in chapter 2, he states “[the bull] fought by instinct.” (Gardner 21) Grendel recognizes that bull is predisposed to act specifically as he does; to protect the young. The bull is made to do this by nature, and is unable to understand others’ mental states, such as Grendel’s as he is stuck in the tree and is unable to harm the calf. Similarly, Grendel is able to recognize solipsism in man. As the men who stumble upon the trapped Grendel contemplate the possibility of him being a fungus or spirit, Grendel understands that the men are unable to know who he is. A component of solipsism is that when one believes in their existence, they are believing in their own experiences. Therefore, because the men had never experienced a being such as Grendel, they could not possibly understand him. Grendel knew this, and did not criticise the mental abilities of man as he does later in the novel, because he knows that they could not possibly know who he

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Grendel's Innocence

    313 Words  | 2 Pages

    Equally important, the innocence Grendel had as a child provide an outline for his lack of baneful intentions. One act of innocence that has shown through Grendel’s entire life, from childhood until death, was a tendency to call for his mother when in danger of any kind. Putting this into perspective, shortly before the death of Grendel, on page one-hundred and seventy, he calls for his mother for the final time. “Mama!” he is heard bellowing.

    Read More

  • Accepting Evil Actions In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

    540 Words  | 3 Pages

    Chapter two illustrates a flashback to Grendel’s early years. Grendel was in the woods searching for food and accidentally wedged himself in a tree. The human civilization eventually found him and attempted to identify what he was. They thought he was a fungus or

    Read More

  • How Is Grendel Influenced By The Dragon

    336 Words  | 2 Pages

    Up until the end of Chapter 7, Grendel’s actions are influenced by the dragon.   He believes nothing matters, there is no good or bad, and everybody eventually dies. The people of Heort know Grendel as a monster and a killer and he lives up to his reputation.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Grendel And Beowolf

    576 Words  | 3 Pages

    This quote from the poem only makes Grendel seem like he is a vicious monster but, if anyone had read the novel they would know that Grendel was all alone in a world where he was like no one else. Now in the novel and the poem there is philosophy but the difference is that in the poem it is an older form of philosophy. “That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall,” (Lines 244-245). This philosophy was written in. Time where people believed that they would fight because they wanted to be the hero for the

    Read More

  • Grendel's Behavior In Frankenstein

    439 Words  | 2 Pages

    Caelan Barranta Mr. Miller English 10: Period 3 19 February 2015 Throwing Persistence and Reality Swinging Back Like a Boomerang: An Analysis on the Similar Behavior and Thoughts Displayed By the Monster and Grendel In Frankenstein, the monster tells his story to Frankenstein, starting as a confused and innocent monster that observes a family, desiring domestic affection. As the story proceeds, the behavior he demonstrates can be compared to Grendel, as both monsters exist in a society that ignores their existence and finds them frightening based on their monstrous and inhuman appearance. No matter how much times the monster and Grendel attempt to reach out to humans, they are “kicked away,” realizing their grotesque characteristics. Both characters struggle to find a place in society, as well as find respect from humans.

    Read More

  • Use Of Light And Darkness In Beowulf

    546 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Grendel is first presented, he is described as

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Grendel, The Captain Of Evil

    1144 Words  | 5 Pages

    This time however, he is swept away by a person name the Shaper, who Grendel is ultimately scared of, because of the fact that the shaper is very good at changing the view of people very easily. During this same period, Grendel started to become more violent as well, first by attacking the humans. Grendel didn’t like the way Hrothgar lived and made the Mead Hall and in response, Grendel started to attack it at night. He killed anyone and everything that came into his sight, and even ate the humans. Grendel now became a real threat to the humans, which inevitably changed his status from sinister to pure

    Read More

  • Is Grendel Good Or Evil

    980 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the novel Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel comes across as a ruthless monster who takes pride in murdering others. His actions give the impression that he is an evil figure, but in hindsight he is not as evil as he appears to be. Gardner makes the readers feel sympathy for Grendel because Grendel lives a lonely life, is consistently treated poorly, and attempts to make peace. If Grendel was truly evil, readers would have difficulty having sympathy for him. Therefore, Grendel is not evil and is no different than the rest of humanity.

    Read More

  • Quotes About Grendel's Loneliness

    674 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Gardner 123). Grendel’s only thing he has is his power to beat things up and kill things that are happy unlike him. He is an upset person who is jealous of people that are

    Read More

  • Essay On Human Nature In Grendel

    1147 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, written in 1971, there are numerous concepts of the human nature portrayed and discussed. With the progression of the novel, the humans become develop to be described as increasingly careless, vicious and futile. Starting with Grendel 's first encounter with the humans to the death of the protagonist, Gardner illustrates an unusual view of the humans and their interactions with one another. Grendel begins as a creature similar to the people he observes, with many shared characteristics and thoughts, even though not all of the their actions are understood. His lasting wish is to be accepted into their society, as they accompany each other and he suffers of loneliness.

    Read More

  • Role Of Animals In Grendel

    226 Words  | 1 Pages

    He explains how they are truly enemies and how Grendel despises them. Another form of which Grendel is proclaiming that animals are to be cursed is that he is talking about how the animals are watching him. “ They watch with mindless ,indifferent eyes as calm and midnight black as the chasm below me. ”(Gardner 173)

    Read More

  • Frankenstein And Grendel Similarities

    889 Words  | 4 Pages

    Yet I was swept up.” (Gardner 48) Grendel, as much as he dislikes humanity cannot seem to pull away or forget the shapers’ words. This shows that Grendel liked and even believed in what the shaper was saying, and was for a moment enticed by his words. These two creatures both took pleasure in the sounds and stories that were told by

    Read More

  • Internal Conflict In Grendel

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel’s largest internal conflict is whether or not he can overcome his predestined status of monster. Throughout the course of the story Grendel is influenced by both sides, human and beast, through the dragon and the Shaper. Although Grendel initially wants to align himself with the humans, no matter how he tries to communicate with them as an equal they will not accept his company, causing him to become lonely and angry. Grendel’s anger turns to violence, which makes the humans turn further against him and, as he is alienated from any sense of humanity he ever had, he eventually discovers that he has no choice and must fulfill his role as the enemy to humans. Initially, Grendel’s free will

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Monster In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

    1809 Words  | 8 Pages

    He doesn't think like a beast such as a lion or a grizzly bear. A beast is a animal that would do anything to kill someone. Grendel,

    Read More

  • Definition Of Evil Essay

    638 Words  | 3 Pages

    Evil is a simple word that we learn at a young age and that we understand is bad. However, our youth and innocence prevents us from knowing the weight the word holds. As our understanding of evil develops, we begin to see evil all around us. Although we hold common societal definitions of evil, each person is bound to view evil slightly different from others. Someone might consider alcoholism evil, while others consider it normal: someone might believe racism is evil, while others believe it is natural.

    Read More

More about Grendel's Solipsism Analysis

Open Document