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Fear
Aug 31, 2013 0:26:57 GMT
Post by cassiecumberland on Aug 31, 2013 0:26:57 GMT
Throughout the whole novel, Grendel is faced with different situations, which brings him fear. It seems as though Grendel finds himself quite strong and mighty, especially when he says things like: "... there is nothing frightening about the strangers. I've broken the backs of bulls no weaker than he is" (164). Grendel, however, faces death, fights foes, and gets hurt quite often. Grendel expresses that he's fearful on almost every page of the novel. For example, towards the end when Grendel says, "my heart booms terror" (173).
Do you think Grendel should be fearful (he is in fact a monster)? Is Grendel's fear a way for Gardner to show the parts of humanity that Grendel has? If Grendel craves death, is his fear supported? Does everyone fear death and pain?
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Fear
Aug 31, 2013 2:50:18 GMT
Post by jessicalee on Aug 31, 2013 2:50:18 GMT
I think that humans are naturally inclined to fear death and pain (with the exception of a rare few). With that being said, Grendel is no exception. Although Grendel is not technically human, he possesses many human-like qualities. I find that Grendel's fearlessness is nothing but a facade that he puts on to protect himself. In the last fight scene, as Grendel is hurt, he desperately calls out "Mama, Mama! I'm dying!" (173) as if trying to hold on to her. In society, monsters are typically seen as these abominable creatures that are not supposed to feel fear. But, I believe Gardner slightly stepped away from that image and gave Grendel the ability to fear as if to make him more human.
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Fear
Sept 1, 2013 6:23:31 GMT
Post by fionabyrne on Sept 1, 2013 6:23:31 GMT
That is an awesome question. I think it is very important to look at the way Grendel faces what he fears and, further, what he doesn't know. I've noticed a trend in Grendel's confidence which I suppose is similar to the way humans act, albeit amplified. Grendel will become familiar with something, and grow angry at the familiarity. Something in him needs new stimulation, fear. He seems to hate routine, saying "so childhood too feels good at first, before one happens to notice the terrible sameness, age after age" (9). When he has become familiar with his world, he runs to the boundary of what he knows and pushes the limit hard and quick. His new discoveries frighten him. At one point, Grendel is literally on the edge of the earth, a cliff, and thinks, "Once again I am aware of my potential: I could die. I cackle with rage and suck in breath. 'Dark chasms!' I scream from the cliff-edge, 'seize me! Seize me to your foul black bowels and crush my bones!' I am terrified at the sound of my own huge voice in the darkness" (10). In this way Grendel is like a child, familiarizing himself with the world and then pushing the boundaries to find new land to explore. The difference is the rage, and I think that is just part of the monster in him. He is angry and scared, in a self-perpetuating cycle.
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