GRENDEL is the story of BEOWULF told from the prospective of the villain Grendel. The same story but with a whole new twist.
So get ready for some awesome entries based on what we find interesting, and what we don't, but hey; it'll be a good trip anyways!
:)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis first chapter of Grendel has actually not been exactly what I have expected. I have yet to read Beowulf and its entirety, but I am interested to fully read this story from a monsters point of view.
ReplyDeletePage one: right from the get go, we are thrown into an ordinary day through the eyes of Grendel. His character shocks me with his first impression. I am not too sure what I expected from him, but I am still shocked. I think I expected something more monstrous like maybe a swamp man with the mentality of a crazed werwolf man, but what we are introduced to something that is more depressed and suicidal then “terrifying”.
The thing that strikes me first about Grendel is his inner monologue (actually his yelling in the woods but the only things listening are a confused am and some animals), and how he feels, “Blind prejudice! … Ah, the unfairness of everything!” (pg. 8) He really reminds me of Frankenstein’s monster, in that he is judged for what he looks like rather then who he is. What I am curious for though, since Grendel is considered the villain in Beowulf, what is his trigger to become that bad? Frankenstein’s monsters neglect and abuse led to his terrorization, so what is it that will send Grendel over the edge?
Within the first chapter, we are introduced to what I believe to be Grendel’s “tragic flaw”—his anger and rage (what do you think?), “I feel my anger coming back, building up like invisible fire, and at last when my soul can no longer resist, I go up—as mechanical as anything else—fists clenched against my lack of will, my belly growling, mindless as wind, for blood.”(pg. 9) Grendel seems somewhat peaceful in comparison to other monsters that are commonly known, yet when his anger is involved, he seems blinded by what is around him and how consequential his actions could be.
But this is what I question most; in the first quote, Grendel talks about how he is unfairly judged, yet in the second quote he mentions his anger taking control, over his “lack of will”. If Grendel really wants the world to have a different outlook on him, why isn’t he at least trying to control his rage for the sake of bettering his image upon others?
Grendel is a fascinating retelling of Beowulf, as it is both modern, and told from the perspective of the monster rather than the warrior. What is so fascinating about the story told from Grendel's perspective is it allows the reader to look at the story a different way and come to new conclusions based on the different viewpoints. One key component of the story is that Grendel is given human characteristics. He has feelings, gets angry, finds frustration and even flashes back to a story when he was a young monster. He talks about how he loved his mother, played games and went exploring. One event he talks about in detail is when he gets stuck between some trees for a great length of time. He calls for his mother but she does not come and eventually he is attacked by humans. His mom shows up and rescues him right before he passes out. This narrative further illustrates the human characteristics and human emotions that Grendel has and feels. What impact will Grendel's human characteristics have on the rest of the novel and why does the author give Grendel these human characteristics? One part of his childhood story illustrates that monsters may be misunderstood: “'Pig', I tried to yell. It scared them. They all began shouting at each other. One of the horses neighed and reared up, and for some crazy reason they took it for a sign” (Gardener 27). Grendel was not trying to scare the humans but since he cannot communicate with them in a way they understand, they believe the monster to be threatening them. Even though Grendel attempts to get along with humans he cannot because he is still a monster and when humans see a monster they defend themselves. Grendel compares well to Frankenstein's monster and this modern version of Grendel was inspired by Frankenstein's monster.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that Grendel has human emotions, because I feel that he really shows them in a human way even though he himself is not human. (Does that make any sense?) However, to answer your question, I feel that Grendel was given these emotions to really portray to the reader, the extremeness that these human emotions can get too. Allow me to explain.
ReplyDeleteGrendel mentions on the first page of the third chapter, “It wasn’t until later, when I was full-grown and Hrothgar was an old man, that I settled my soul on destroying him—slowly and cruelly” (pg.26). This is pretty extreme. I mean I have witnessed my fair share of people planning to get their revenge, it is all that Supernatural is about, but I have never seeing on this level. This amount of “human emotion” that he has emitted is almost scary, because he is blending it with his own monstrous being. Maybe that’s the key! Maybe we have to approach this from the angle that he does not have human emotions, rather it is his monstrous side attempting to mimic what he sees through the humans. Thoughts?
I also am starting to worry about Grendel though, as we begin to witness his more aggressive side come out around men. Sure he had his predatory moments, when he would take a sheep or a cow and eat it for dinner, but his nature towards Hrothgar is more monstrous then predatory. Here’s an example, “I was filled with a wordless, obscurely murderous unrest” (pg. 34). Now don’t get me wrong, from this point of view, Hrothgar seems like an awful guy and I wish he were dead too, but this aggressive nature towards Hrothgar, that is leading Grendel to become murderous is a slippery slope. I am rooting for Grendel to be the “Hero” of his own story, but I am afraid of what is to come because of Hrothgar.
(Total sided note, for some reason I read this chapter and saw how much Grendel cared for the forest and stuff, and could only think that he reminded me of the Lorax lol.)
Speaking of Hrothgar, he is an awful dude! I really don’t like him and fail to see how he could have been the hero of any story (based from Grendel’s point of view)
But what do you think. Do you think that Grendel could ever be a “hero”? What about his thoughts, do they concern you at all about what he might do?
Grendel has human characteristics but the point of the story is that even though he has human characteristics he is still a monster. The author attempts to evoke pity out of the reader by portraying Grendel with some human feelings but he counters his human acts with monstrous ones that reveal Grendel is a complete monster. Even Grendel realizes that he must embrace his monstrosity: “Some evil inside myself pushed out into the trees. I knew what I knew, the mindless, mechanical brutishness of things, and when the harper's lure drew my mind away to hopeful dreams, the dark of what was and always was reached out and snatched my feet” (Gardener 54). Grendel's thoughts continue in a dark direction: “I wanted it, yes! Even if I must be the outcast, cursed by the rules of his hideous fable” (Gardener 55). This thought process undergone by Grendel leads to his encounter with the dragon and my favorite part of the novel. Is Grendel's descent into complete monstrosity caused by his environment and the inability for Grendel to find companions or was he destined to become a monster because that is who he is? Grendel does attempt to be civil in certain circumstances but then does a bad man always do bad? Grendel's monstrous side gets the better of him in many situations and leads to his uncontrollable rage and fury that cannot be contained because he is a monster. If he was included in society, society would not be able to function. Grendel would always have to get his way and if he didn't then he would destroy all who hurt him and even the innocent. This is a definition of a monster. Even though the reader wants to root for Grendel the fact is he is still a monster and that stops him from being a part of society and also becoming a literary hero. (I think you need to reread the Lorax because I don't remember him eating animals, people and also contemplating dark and evil thoughts).
ReplyDeleteWhy did I know that the dragon scene would be your favorite? Hmm Mr. VanderLey of House Targaryen?
ReplyDeleteBut, I think that when Grendel went to the dragon for answers, it was what set him off into this monstrous mind. If Grendel had not gone, I think that he would have not become the monster we see in chapter 6. The dragon does say some good things to Grendel though, and he calls him out for what he really is: (because he can, because he is a dragon.) “Nothing interests you but extreme violence.” “The essence of life is to be found in the frustrations of establishing order.” (pg. 56) (The second one I like the most) What did the dragon say that stood out to you the most?
However, the dragon also gives Grendel the most dangerous piece of advice, “…My advice to you my violent friend, is to seek out gold and sit on it” (pg. 62). This, and the gift of having impenetrable skin, is the fuel and trigger for Grendel to go on a power hungry spree.
But you know what can always bring a male monster out of his crazed spree for just a couple moments? A GIRL! Wow the power of love at first sight, am I right? “But she was beautiful and surrendered herself with the dignity of a sacrificial virgin. My chest was full of pain…” (pg.83). Who knew that this monster that Grendel had turned into, would be halted by the mere sight of a girl? Oh wait, try every cinematic love story ever (except the Princess Bride). Although through this moment I saw a glimmer of hope shine for the return of the old Grendel with a heart, I also was slightly angered at such a cliche moment that was created.
The state that this girl puts Grendel in though, is one that shocks me. He won’t eat, can’t sleep, and is stalking her, I just do not see how one glance at a woman can do that.
Do you think that this girl will help Grendel change? Or will she be his downfall into a bigger monstrosity then he already is?
(Haven’t you read the sequel to the Lorax? What have you been reading?)
Yes I thoroughly enjoyed the dragon part and my favorite quote was stated by the dragon: “If you withdraw, you'll instantly be replaced. Brute existents, you know, are a dime a dozen. No sentimental trash, then. If man's the irrelevance that interests you, stick with him! Scare him to glory! Its all the same in the end, matter, and motion, simple or complex. No difference, finally. Death, transfiguration. Ashes to Ashes and slime to slime. Amen” (Gardener 72). This theory of the dragon is one that Grendel does not comprehend at first but it is the logic that all monsters follow. Everything will end the same no matter how I live so why not live for myself. If they were correct about how everything ended up then the theory of the dragon would be correct but as Christians we know what is coming and are not fooled by dragon's “gold”. The scene when the lady enters and captures Grendel's heart is an odd scene but it reveals that Grendel still contains some human emotions, like attraction. He has no way to deal with this emotion so I believe he will resort to what monsters resort to, violence. I do not think there is anything that can save Grendel, as sad as that is. His anger and frustration are too much for any man to control. When Grendel is in the process of following Hrothgar and his tribe there is a scene that lends itself to questions. Grendel is waiting in some bushes when a blind priest advances on him and asks who he is. Grendel names himself the Destroyer and asks about the King of Gods. Although this is interesting I believe the more important part comes when the other priests enter. The final priest states a lengthy prophecy: “But now at last, sweet fantasy has found root in your blessed soul! The absurd, the inspiring, the uncanny, the awesome, the terrifying, the escatic—none of these had a place, for you, before...” (Gardener 135). This prophecy seems weird but what could it mean for the story and what could it symbolize?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great quote by the dragon I will admit that, and I think that you are right in saying that Grendel is too far gone in his own rage like you said, as sad as it is. That quote that you wrote about the prophecy, I am not too sure about what it means. I imagine for Grendel, his sweet fantasy could be being accepted by mankind as not a monster, but how has that blessed his soul? But I still think it may be that, because later it says, “…none of these had a place for you before…” which just seems to approve that maybe mankind will adopt Grendel into their society.
ReplyDeleteI think that the weirdest character out of this entire book, has to be Ork the priest. I like him, don’t get me wrong, he just seems to be different from all the others, you know because he is just chilling with Grendel in the cold night outside. As weird as he is though, he is by far my favorite character. He cannot see Grendel, therefore he can only judge him based on the conversations that they have. I love it when Ork goes on a little bit of a rant, talking about the true evil of the world. He talks about how it is a twofold saying, “The nature of evil may be optimized, therefore, in two simple but horrible, and holy propositions: ‘Things fade’ and ‘Alternatives exclude’” (pg.110). The second half of that quote, the “alternates exclude”, really stood out to me, because it is building on the idea that ‘because one thing is that certain thing, it cannot be anything else—excluding it from having any alternatives’. Because Grendel is a monster, he will always be a monster, no matter what happens. Which is truly sad but really relates in the world today. Once people identify you as something, you will always be that thing. (lol such a weird sentence) How do you think that the priests quote can relate to todays day and age?
Something else that really stood out to me, was the foreshadowing that Grendel experienced at the end of chapter 10.
“I am not the only monster on these moors. (omg the Hound of the Baskervilles!!!)
I met an old woman as wild as the wind
Striding in the white out of midnight’s den.
Her cloak was in rag’s and her flesh it was lean,
And her eyes her murdered eyes…
Scent of dragon.
I should sleep, drop war till spring as I normally do.
When I sleep I wake up in terror, with hands around my throat.
A stupid business.
Nihil ex nihilo, I always say” (better out than in I always say-Shrek)
(pg. 124)
What does that even mean? Why does the dragon scent keep on making an appearance? Who is the woman? So many questions but so little of the book left!!
The priests quote and viewpoint reveals that it is not all about what people look like but who they are. The problem with Grendel is what he looks like influences who he is. The quote my partner referred to is an interesting one. I have to believe the woman is Grendel's mother or it could be a figure of Grendel's imagination. The dragon scent keeps returning because it symbolizes the time when Grendel embraced being a monster. He took a part of the dragon with him after their conversation and that scent stays with him. This quote reflects who Grendel is and what is goals are now as a monster. At the conclusion of the novel we are left with Grendel dying: “Again sight clears. I am slick with blood. I discover I no longer feel pain. Animals gather around me, enemies of old to watch me die. I give them what I hope will appear a sheepish smile. My heart booms terror. Will the last of my life slide out if I let out breath? (Gardener 173). Grendel loses his battle with this titan of a man and even though he is portrayed as a monster I still am left feeling bad for Grendel. In the beginning he meant no harm but he was unable to communicate. He was hurt and used that hurt to feel his hatred and wrath. The people he hated were deserving of hate but his only way to deal with hatred was through violence. A monster will always be a monster and there is no changing that. The atrocities Grendel commits prove that he is indeed a monster no matter how much the reader pities him. Grendel's human qualities are believable and allows the reader to ask the question “Is Grendel a monster?” I now understand Grendel's motives but at the end of the day motives are not all that matter. Actions are the true reflection and Grendel's actions portray him as a monster.
ReplyDeleteYeehaw! The strength of these entries is in your consistent grounding in the text. You successfully build off of each other's quotes with regular reference to possible MOWAW. (Zac, would you cite your source for sayIn this monster is definitely inspired by Frankenstein? That felt like research.) Also, after the first few entries, you're good at responding to each other's questions. I'm particularly impressed by the way your musings on Grendel's "humanity" carry through to the end, where you conclude that his apparent humanity might be the vehicle for conveying the idea that humanity is what one does, not what one has the option of being at first. Hmmm. Thanks. Grade on Portals.
ReplyDelete