The Shaper And The Dragon In Grendel

Grendel Insight In the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, portrays Grendel 's characteristics altering as he meets new characters; throughout his journey to mankind. Mankind teaches him vast new knowledge he 's never understood. His nihilistic and solipsism is formed through the characters in the novel; envy and anger are also shown. He plays big roles in terrifying the Danes and some what of the Geats; they mold him into the monster they fear the most.

Grendel’s self image changes throughout the story because the effect of some characters that is taken upon Grendel’s personality. Grendel’s mother had an effect on him through the story he had a soft spot when it came to his mother. For example, “ of all the creatures i knew, in those days only my mother really looked at me.” (Gardner 17). Grendel is hideous, no one really pays attention to him.

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.

In conclusion, in both of the novels the theme of isolation is presented through Grendel. He becomes evil, wants to be accepted, he feels helpless and he wants to take revenge. Both of the novels show that Grendel is alone and he is characterized as a evil monster because he doesn't know anything, but to do bad things to other people. Grendel doesn’t have intentions to kill people but his loneliness leads him to become evil because he feels that he is unwanted in his world. All in all, Grendel’s isolation is caused by not being understood and listened.

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

“I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings! But also, as never before, I was alone.” (Grendel, p. 80) Grendel says this depressing statement when he learns that the enchantment placed upon him by the dragon has left him unable to be harmed by the Scylding's weapons. He vainly basks in his new-found glory, but he soon has the realization that his imperviousness has now separated him even more from the place he yearns for among men.

Evil Outline Thesis: Grendel is evil because was he isolated by society, neglected by his mother, and had no identity or purpose. Neglect The fact that Grendel’s mother does not show affection towards him is directly linked to why he has developed into an evil being. “‘Why are we here?’

Point of view is an essential component of Grendel because it gives us a perspective of how Grendel sees the world. Having the ability to view the story from the eyes of Grendel gives the reader insight into how Grendel thinks, how he sees people, and how people see him. The first person point of view in Grendel reveals a deeper understanding of how isolation can shape one’s existence and change them over time. When Grendel was younger, he was a curious creature who was intrigued but terrified of the outside world. The first person viewpoint of the story allows us to see how the way the humans treated Grendel took away his innocence and isolated him.

In my opinion, the Dragon is Grendel’s biggest influence. It started with the Shaper’s songs in Chapter 3, the song made Grendel felt like he was torn apart by poetry, even all of them are lies but the Shaper made it all seem true. His mind was confused between the lies and the truth that he knew. With that problem, the Dragon is the one who explained everything he knew to Grendel. After Grendel talked with the Dragon and discovered the charm that the Dragon put on him, Grendel started to change himself into what that Dragon encouraged him to be “brute existent”.

Today, it is normal for filmworkers to change many stories and adapt them to a more modern audience. In the modern 2005 film Beowulf & Grendel (Gunnarsson) there are many changes to the epic poem of Beowulf (Heaney). Many of these changes can be seen throughout all characters, but Grendel’s by far one of the most different. In the beginning of Beowulf, Grendel is described as nothing but a vicious demon who kills for no apparent reason, while in “the movie” Beowulf and Grendel, Grendel kills, because his father was murdered by The Danes right before his eyes as a child.