GrendelGrendel (1971)(1971)

An overview of An overview of John Gardner’s workJohn Gardner’s work

THEMESTHEMES•Artists in Society and the Artists in Society and the

Power of ArtPower of Art•The Importance of LanguageThe Importance of Language•NihilismNihilism•DeathDeath•Heroism—a moral forceHeroism—a moral force•The Struggle Between Good The Struggle Between Good

and Evil--MORALITYand Evil--MORALITY

PARODYPARODY• Grendel both imitates and ridicules Grendel both imitates and ridicules

specific forms of literature and specific forms of literature and authorsauthors

• BeowulfBeowulf—most of plot and —most of plot and characters borrowedcharacters borrowed

• Grendel becomes a “case history of Grendel becomes a “case history of a bad artist” whose words are a bad artist” whose words are constantly misunderstood; thus, he constantly misunderstood; thus, he inspires acts of violence versus the inspires acts of violence versus the Shaper who inspires great deeds.Shaper who inspires great deeds.

• Various characters represent Various characters represent specific philosophies (Dragon, specific philosophies (Dragon, Hrothulf, Red Horse, etc.)Hrothulf, Red Horse, etc.)

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE• 12 chapters: Twelve years of 12 chapters: Twelve years of

Grendel’s raids and 12 zodiacsGrendel’s raids and 12 zodiacs

• Not chronological: Flashbacks, Not chronological: Flashbacks, Allusions, ForeshadowingAllusions, Foreshadowing

• Tense: Present tense is Tense: Present tense is interspersed with past telling of interspersed with past telling of events leading upevents leading up to this 12 to this 12thth year year

• Each chapter presents a different Each chapter presents a different branch of philosophybranch of philosophy

CHAPTERS 1-4CHAPTERS 1-4•Book opens in April, month of the Book opens in April, month of the

ram and there is an immediate ram and there is an immediate concern with language:concern with language:– ““Talking, talking. Spinning a web of Talking, talking. Spinning a web of

words, pale dreams, between myself words, pale dreams, between myself and all I see”and all I see”

– Grendel’s mother lives in a cave, mute, Grendel’s mother lives in a cave, mute, beast-like.beast-like.

– Chpt. 2 when Grendel is trapped in tree, Chpt. 2 when Grendel is trapped in tree, most important element is the most important element is the encounter with the men who speak a encounter with the men who speak a languagelanguage

• Chapter 3: summary of Grendel’s Chapter 3: summary of Grendel’s years watching the Danes who are years watching the Danes who are slowly developing civilizationslowly developing civilization

• Hrothgar becomes powerful because he Hrothgar becomes powerful because he has a theory about the purpose of warhas a theory about the purpose of war

• The Shaper appears; he does more than The Shaper appears; he does more than make poetry; he retells history and make poetry; he retells history and inspires meninspires men

• Also the Shaper names Grendel as one of Also the Shaper names Grendel as one of the race of Cain, everything that is dark the race of Cain, everything that is dark and evil—this is what Grendel becomesand evil—this is what Grendel becomes

CHAPTERS 5-7CHAPTERS 5-7• Grendel visits the dragon who tells him Grendel visits the dragon who tells him

the Shaper’sthe Shaper’s words are an “illusion of words are an “illusion of reality” reality” leading men to believe there is leading men to believe there is meaning in the universe.meaning in the universe.

• Dragon denies existence of God and Dragon denies existence of God and meaning and advises Grendel tomeaning and advises Grendel to “seek “seek out gold and sit on it.”out gold and sit on it.”

• Grendel discovers dragon has put aGrendel discovers dragon has put a “curse” on him: he can no longer be “curse” on him: he can no longer be injured by men’s weapons.injured by men’s weapons.

• Grendel finds the “heroic” andGrendel finds the “heroic” and idealistic Unferth, and in acting in idealistic Unferth, and in acting in unexpected ways, completelyunexpected ways, completely humiliates the would-be hero.humiliates the would-be hero.

• When Unferth seeks Grendel in hisWhen Unferth seeks Grendel in his cave, Grendel shows that life is cave, Grendel shows that life is meaningless; he refuses to meaningless; he refuses to engage inengage in battle; he returns battle; he returns Unferth unharmed, “Unferth unharmed, “So much for So much for heroism.”heroism.”

• The arrival of Wealtheow (“holy The arrival of Wealtheow (“holy servant of the common good”) as servant of the common good”) as aa peace offering peace offering

CHAPTERS 8-12CHAPTERS 8-12•Hrothgar’s nephew arrives after Hrothgar’s nephew arrives after

the murder of his father.the murder of his father.

•Hrothulf’s resentful attitude and Hrothulf’s resentful attitude and desire for power allows Grendel desire for power allows Grendel to ponder “the idea of violence.”to ponder “the idea of violence.”

•Encounter with priest leads to Encounter with priest leads to observations about religion.observations about religion.

•Chapter 10, Grendel deals with Chapter 10, Grendel deals with boredomboredom

•Chapter 11: strangers arriveChapter 11: strangers arrive

•Beowulf tells him about the Beowulf tells him about the cycles of existence before cycles of existence before destroying him.destroying him.– ““Though you murder the Though you murder the

world . . . Strong searching roots world . . . Strong searching roots will crack your cave and rain will will crack your cave and rain will cleanse it: The world will burn cleanse it: The world will burn green, sperm build again. My green, sperm build again. My promise.”promise.”

•But Grendel attributes his end But Grendel attributes his end to a random accident. to a random accident.

GRENDEL:GRENDEL: “ “Profile of a Killer”Profile of a Killer”

Worksheet DiscussionWorksheet Discussion

Grendel’s WarGrendel’s War•Chpt. 2:Chpt. 2: First encounter w/ men, First encounter w/ men,

the most dangerous things”:the most dangerous things”:•Grendel is trapped in a tree.Grendel is trapped in a tree.•The men think he is a fungus at The men think he is a fungus at

first, then a spirit that eats pigsfirst, then a spirit that eats pigs•King, in fear, attacks him with King, in fear, attacks him with

an axan ax•He is saved by his motherHe is saved by his mother•Men are dangerous because Men are dangerous because

“they think and scheme” “they think and scheme”

Grendel’s Reaction to the Grendel’s Reaction to the (Scop’s) Shaper’s Songs:(Scop’s) Shaper’s Songs:

•Chpt. 3: Grendel is Chpt. 3: Grendel is emotionally affected by the emotionally affected by the songs, the liessongs, the lies

•He feels torn between what He feels torn between what he observes (reality) and he observes (reality) and what he hears (the beauty what he hears (the beauty and idealism)and idealism)

Grendel’s ConversionGrendel’s Conversion•Chpt. 4: Hearing that he, himself,

is considered the dark side of creation, he wishes to convert.

•He goes to the mead-hall calling He goes to the mead-hall calling for mercy and peace, but is for mercy and peace, but is attackedattacked

•He wishes for someone to talk toHe wishes for someone to talk to•He returns because he is He returns because he is

addictedaddicted•He wants the songs to be true, He wants the songs to be true,

even if he has to be the outcasteven if he has to be the outcast

The Dragon’s The Dragon’s AnswerAnswer•Chpt. 5: The dragon says that Chpt. 5: The dragon says that Grendel inspires and improves Grendel inspires and improves the Danesthe Danes

•That if there were no Grendel, That if there were no Grendel, they would invent one: they need they would invent one: they need the monsterthe monster

•Thus, Grendel is irrelevant.Thus, Grendel is irrelevant.•It makes no difference if he stops It makes no difference if he stops

or not.or not.

The Dragon’s CharmThe Dragon’s Charm•Chpt. 6: Grendel at first feels the Chpt. 6: Grendel at first feels the

charm causes his enemies defeatcharm causes his enemies defeat•Then he realizes he has nothing Then he realizes he has nothing

to fear and nothing to stop him, to fear and nothing to stop him, so his raids become inevitable.so his raids become inevitable.

•He discovers the charm when he He discovers the charm when he accidentally runs into a guard, accidentally runs into a guard, trips and is not hurt by the trips and is not hurt by the sword.sword.

•He discovers a reason for his He discovers a reason for his existence: he is now “Ruiner of existence: he is now “Ruiner of Mead-halls, Wrecker of Kings.”Mead-halls, Wrecker of Kings.”

Psychology Vs. Strength

1.1.Grendel’s feelings?Grendel’s feelings?

2.2.Beowulf’s trick?Beowulf’s trick?

3.3.Grendel’s defense of Grendel’s defense of Beowulf’s superiority?Beowulf’s superiority?

4.4.The whispering?The whispering?

5.5.Explanation for defeat?Explanation for defeat?

Psychology Vs. Strength6.6. Amplifies fight detailsAmplifies fight details7.7. Beowulf is seen as cool, calculating, clever and vicious. He uses Beowulf is seen as cool, calculating, clever and vicious. He uses

surprise, strength and psychology to defeat Grendel.In the original, surprise, strength and psychology to defeat Grendel.In the original, Beowulf as hero refuses to use weapons for a fair fight. Grendel rips off Beowulf as hero refuses to use weapons for a fair fight. Grendel rips off his own arm in the poem in his fear ridden desire to escape. In Gardner’s his own arm in the poem in his fear ridden desire to escape. In Gardner’s story Beowulf’s tactics throw him off guard and allows Beowulf to rip off story Beowulf’s tactics throw him off guard and allows Beowulf to rip off his arm.his arm.

6.6. Beowulf’s imageBeowulf’s image7.7. Beowulf hero is courtly and chivalrous. In Grendel, Beowulf is seen as Beowulf hero is courtly and chivalrous. In Grendel, Beowulf is seen as

slightly mad and cruel; sneaky and calculating; He uses psychologically slightly mad and cruel; sneaky and calculating; He uses psychologically demoralizing whispers and parody of “Say Uncle!” He also seems to use demoralizing whispers and parody of “Say Uncle!” He also seems to use unnecessary violence. Courtliness seems gone.unnecessary violence. Courtliness seems gone.

6.6. Grim humorGrim humor7.7. Grim humor: Grendel’s comment that he wouldn’t want to wake up to Grim humor: Grendel’s comment that he wouldn’t want to wake up to

the sound of his own laughter anymore than the Geats; the napkin; the the sound of his own laughter anymore than the Geats; the napkin; the image of Grendel and Beowulf shaking hands grotesquely.image of Grendel and Beowulf shaking hands grotesquely.

““The Anti-Hero”The Anti-Hero”

Both Grendel and Unferth Both Grendel and Unferth exhibit characteristics of the exhibit characteristics of the

anti-hero.anti-hero.

Grendel as Anti-HeroGrendel as Anti-Hero1.1. He murders and cannot be He murders and cannot be

punishedpunished2.2. He sneaks around at night, spyingHe sneaks around at night, spying3.3. He makes fun of the Danes and He makes fun of the Danes and

rejects all that they stand forrejects all that they stand for4.4. He searches for answers but can He searches for answers but can

find only meannessfind only meanness5.5. He is crude, but not stupid or He is crude, but not stupid or

dishonest (He is successful in his dishonest (He is successful in his feud but a failure at finding feud but a failure at finding happiness)happiness)

6.6. He says he is angry very oftenHe says he is angry very often

Unferth as Anti-HeroUnferth as Anti-Hero• 1-3 do not fit: while he did kill his 1-3 do not fit: while he did kill his

brother, he has made restitution brother, he has made restitution according to the law.according to the law.

• 4 He tries for greater heroism in chasing 4 He tries for greater heroism in chasing Grendel, but is forced to achieve an Grendel, but is forced to achieve an ideal the Danes do not understand.ideal the Danes do not understand.

• 5. He seems a failure as a hero, yet 5. He seems a failure as a hero, yet achieves an even more difficult kind of achieves an even more difficult kind of heroism by not giving up even when heroism by not giving up even when faced with humiliation; did commit a faced with humiliation; did commit a crude and stupid mistake in the past.crude and stupid mistake in the past.

• Yes, he is angry Yes, he is angry

To Be or Not to Be a To Be or Not to Be a HeroHero

•HrothgarHrothgar

•UnferthUnferth

•WealtheowWealtheow

•BeowulfBeowulf

““Nothing from Nothing from Nothing”Nothing”

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowTomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowCreeps in this petty pace from day to dayCreeps in this petty pace from day to dayTo the last syllable of recorded time;To the last syllable of recorded time;And all our yesterdays have lighted foolsAnd all our yesterdays have lighted foolsThe way to dusty death. Out, out, brief The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief

candle!candle!Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor

player,player,That struts and frets his hour upon the That struts and frets his hour upon the

stagestageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing. Signifying nothing.

(Macbeth(Macbeth, Act V, Scene v), Act V, Scene v)

How Grendel Sees Time How Grendel Sees Time (Ch. 10(Ch. 10))

•Grendel says “tedium is the Grendel says “tedium is the worst pain” as the sun walks worst pain” as the sun walks overhead.overhead.

•He waits for the Shaper to die.He waits for the Shaper to die.•Chapter filled with references to Chapter filled with references to

past and a dark future.past and a dark future.•Time passes slow and boringlyTime passes slow and boringly

Grendel BelievesGrendel Believes

•That the Danes are fooled by the That the Danes are fooled by the shaper’s liesshaper’s lies

•That Unferth is a fool for clinging That Unferth is a fool for clinging to his heroic idealsto his heroic ideals

•That his war with Hrothgar is “an That his war with Hrothgar is “an idiotic war” (Ch 1) idiotic war” (Ch 1)

•That he, himself” is a “pointless, That he, himself” is a “pointless, ridiculous monster” (Ch 1) ridiculous monster” (Ch 1)

Macbeth's Shadow and Macbeth's Shadow and GrendelGrendel

• Grendel describes himself as a Grendel describes himself as a shadow (Ch. 10) and as walkingshadow (Ch. 10) and as walking around the edges of the world, around the edges of the world, outside the mead-hall at dusk.outside the mead-hall at dusk.

• Chapter I, Grendel plays game of Chapter I, Grendel plays game of looking at himself as he postures, looking at himself as he postures, asas standing outside himself standing outside himself

• Also Hrothulf’s arrival and Also Hrothulf’s arrival and encounterencounter w/ the Priest read like w/ the Priest read like scenes from a scenes from a playplay

A Tale Told By an A Tale Told By an Idiot?Idiot?• Grendel agrees with Macbeth, he Grendel agrees with Macbeth, he

says often that he is stupid and that says often that he is stupid and that life is meaningless (and he tells the life is meaningless (and he tells the story)story)

• He whispers, cannot be understood He whispers, cannot be understood by the Danes (his language is older)by the Danes (his language is older)

• His voice is too loud and frightful to His voice is too loud and frightful to be understood.be understood.

• His killings, an expression of anger His killings, an expression of anger and the meaning of his tale he and the meaning of his tale he summarizes at the close of chapter summarizes at the close of chapter 10: “10: “Nihil ex nihiloNihil ex nihilo.” .”