Once a Monster, Always a Monster?

One common trait among living things is the tendency to become trapped in cycles and habits that limit the quality of life. The changing of the seasons in Grendel emphasizes this theme of becoming trapped in patters and serves to show how difficult, if not impossible, it is for one to change oneself. Grendel comments on the cyclical, mechanical nature of the world when he states, "I understood that the world was nothing, a mechanical chaos of casual, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears"(Gardner 22). This seems to express a sense of pessimism about the possibility of changing oneself or the world, regardless of how good one's intentions are. This does seem to hold a remarkable amount of truth. No matter how many hopes one has for eradicating evil from society, the world will continue grinding on in its brute, mechanical, potentially cruel ways. Even if someone loves living things and never wants to see anything die, whales will keep eating baby seals, owls will keep scooping up mice, and humans will keep destroying each other in the name of glory and gold. Because of the overwhelming power of nature and habits, Grendel is doomed to his murderous, but natural, ways. Just like in the novel, cycles stop for no one.

Though this view that the cyclical tendency of nature trumps all may seem dark and depressing, as it leaves little room for progress and evolution of individuals and society, Grendel does offer a dark yet optimistic alternative to being stuck in cycles. Throughout the novel Grendel wishes for death as a way to free himself from the struggles of balancing his human and animalistic sides. Death seems to be the only way to end the natural cycles that overpower free will. *SPOILER ALERT* Grendel's last words offer this view of death as an escape when he writes, "'Poor Grendel's had an accident... So may you all'"(Gardner 174). This seems less like a threat and more like a sincere desire for other creatures to be able to break from their terrible cycles. The idea that only death can break the habits that creatures are stuck in also fits with the passing of the seasons that occurs throughout the book. Just as one experiences the seasons from birth to death, regardless of one's free will or behavior, one experiences the urges and tendencies of one's species from cradle to grave. The only escape is death.

So, to actually answer the question, yes, Grendel does change. He manages to shed his inherent sense of darkness, but just not in the traditional, heroic, self-improvement sense. He breaks from his cycle of evil through death, which seems to be the only escape from the overwhelming pull of fate.