Post by billfeng on Aug 18, 2013 3:20:03 GMT
Contains spoilers:
Beowulf, Hero of the Geats: the legendary slayer of Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the Dragon.
Gardner presented a rather cold image of Beowulf (who is depicted but not named) in the final two chapters of the novel. When Grendel first spies upon Beowulf, he states that the man maintains an "ironic" smile and the personality of a madman. When Beowulf tears off Grendel's arm in the meadhall, Grendel depicts the man in a fiendish manner.
I think Gardner is attempting to metaphorically compare Beowulf's demeanor to that of the Dragon. In the earlier portion of the novel, the Dragon presents himself as an entity of fate and infinite knowledge. Is Gardner depicting Beowulf in this sense to show that Grendel has met his fate and demise? Why do you think Grendel, or rather Gardner, depicts the titular hero in such a manner? I'd like to hear your opinions and ideas.
Beowulf, Hero of the Geats: the legendary slayer of Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the Dragon.
Gardner presented a rather cold image of Beowulf (who is depicted but not named) in the final two chapters of the novel. When Grendel first spies upon Beowulf, he states that the man maintains an "ironic" smile and the personality of a madman. When Beowulf tears off Grendel's arm in the meadhall, Grendel depicts the man in a fiendish manner.
"Now he's out of his bed, his hand still closed like a dragon's jaws on mine." (168)
"The meadhall is alive, great cavernous belly, gold-adorned, bloodstained, howling back at me, lit by the flickering fire in the stranger's eyes. He has wings, is it possible?" (169)
(While Beowulf is whispering) "His syllables lick at the at me, chilly fire. His syllables lick at me, chilly fire." (170)
"He stretches his blinding white wings and breathes out fire." (172)
"The meadhall is alive, great cavernous belly, gold-adorned, bloodstained, howling back at me, lit by the flickering fire in the stranger's eyes. He has wings, is it possible?" (169)
(While Beowulf is whispering) "His syllables lick at the at me, chilly fire. His syllables lick at me, chilly fire." (170)
"He stretches his blinding white wings and breathes out fire." (172)
I think Gardner is attempting to metaphorically compare Beowulf's demeanor to that of the Dragon. In the earlier portion of the novel, the Dragon presents himself as an entity of fate and infinite knowledge. Is Gardner depicting Beowulf in this sense to show that Grendel has met his fate and demise? Why do you think Grendel, or rather Gardner, depicts the titular hero in such a manner? I'd like to hear your opinions and ideas.
