Erika Alvarado

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Finding Grendel
John Gardners Grendel is a retelling of the poem Beowulf through the perspective of
Grendel. The spin on the story gives the reader an in-depth understanding of other characters
the poem did not showcase. The basis of the story depicts how Grendel is typecasted as the
villain by the Danes. Having this preset label set upon him furious as he does not agree with this
identity and seeks his own. As Grendels war with the Danes goes on he struggles with
humanity and mortality when looking for himself.
The definition of self-knowledge is; the process of acquiring insight into ones own
character. This is explored in this story by the way Grendel constantly questions his existence
and purpose in life: Grendel even comes to believe that life may have no purpose at all. In the
beginning of the story readers found that Grendel is a lonesome monster who lives in a cave
deep in the forest. Due to this extreme isolation, he had no idea of the existence of humans. It
was only until he had his first chance encounter, while venturing far out of his cave, and then
getting caught in a tree. "Suddenly I knew I was dealing with no dull mechanical bull but with
think creatures...The most dangerous creatures I've ever meet"(Gardner 27). From this
encounter alone, his perspective on everything takes a major shift. He develops an existentialist
point of view of the world around him. Since he sees no real reasoning for things to be as they
are, he decides that the world and everything around is meaningless (Gardner 28). He
maintains this ideology while he observes the humans from the village. As he studies them he
finds that most of the humans are very intellectual since they all seem to have some false hope
that the world has purpose. Due to them being influenced by the Shaper, who sings tales that
give them that hope. It is then he develops a love-hate relationship with humans. He hated the
power of the Shaper the most, and how he can mold the thoughts and knowledge of the Deans
by his songs. Grendel knew it is because of his songs, people believed they had a purpose. It

was a cold-blooded lie... that one race was saved, the other cursed. Yet he, the old Shaper,
might make it true by the sweetness of his harp (Gardner 78) It was with this power the Shaper
had made things as they are, such as Grendels identity.
Having Grendels identity being formed by some else who did not know of his
experiences, was something that infuriated him. To be given a destiny that was expected of him
to accept and follow. Grendel growing restless he was tired of feeling like a literal outsider and
his solitary, ugly life. There were times where he could conform and just be the monster he was
suppose to be. However, it was Grendels constant battle with whether he wants to accept this
set version of himself or not. Just as Gardner was in an era of rebellion and philosophy when he
wrote the novel, Grendels rebels against the fate the Shaper had set for him. During Gardners
time civil rights; the rights citizens to political and social freedom and equality, were being fought
for. The 1960s saw numerous protest, particularly issues concerning civil rights and the U.S.
involvement in the Vietnam War (What Was Happening in the World in the Late 1960s/Early
1970s 2016). Grendel was not given social freedom or equality for what he was, so in revolt,
he has constantly rejected the physical and social boundaries set before him. Having faith in
only his views, it was no wonder his ideals and the Dragons resonated. The Dragon had taught
him of nihilism, which was a rejection all religious and moral principles, a step forward in his
preexisting existential beliefs. Having this new ideology and immortality put upon him, he still
strives for a different outcome. Yet ironically, he accepts himself as Grendel Hrothgar-Wrecker
(Gardner 91) which is a view the Danes had him set for. Grendels efforts for self-knowledge
ultimately fail as he ends up fulfilling the role of the villain, and enemy to Hrothgar. In which he
was also taught near his demise by Beowulf that things do have a purpose and that life has
meaning, exposing his existential beliefs for good.