Post by jessicapollard on Aug 20, 2013 9:57:14 GMT
Gardner uses Grendel to present an uncommon view of humanity and its lust for power (as evident by the warring and prideful kingdoms) through the lens of a creature caught between the unbridled immanence of animal-hood and the painful thoughtfulness of personhood. Grendel seems to gather, through his various encounters and observations, that there are specific roles which every being must play in order to keep life in general order.Grendel's behaviors seem to reflect this realization almost mockingly, as he forces Unferth to remain a 'hero' by sparing him his life time and time again through every attack on Hrothgar's kingdom. He also enforces the Dragon's role as truth-bearer by accepting the Dragon's speculations as indefinite truths. Later in the book, Grendel blames his violent behavior on the fact that he is expected to be violent and destructive. Grendel explains,
" Who says I have to defend myself? I'm a machine, like you. Like all of you. Blood-lust and rage are my character. Why does the lion not wisely settle down and be a horse? In any case, I too am learning, ordeal by ordeal, my indignity. It's all I have, my only weapon for smashing through these stiff coffin-walls of the world. So I dance in the moonlight, make foul jokes, or labor up howls of rage. Something is bound to come of all this. I cannot believe such a monstrous energy of grief can come from nothing!" (107).
Rather than attempting to break the static of his trouble-making persona, Grendel decides ( possibly satirically) that it must be his job to threaten the lives of people. He has been cornered into accepting a fate that he previously shied away from. Is Grendel's role as the general evil-doer a necessity to the balance of humankind? Is it Grendel or the kingdom that appears to be corralling Grendel into this type-cast? Are other roles, such as the hero or the bearer of greater truths needed in life, or can people attain heroism and truth(among other things) from more than one specific source?
" Who says I have to defend myself? I'm a machine, like you. Like all of you. Blood-lust and rage are my character. Why does the lion not wisely settle down and be a horse? In any case, I too am learning, ordeal by ordeal, my indignity. It's all I have, my only weapon for smashing through these stiff coffin-walls of the world. So I dance in the moonlight, make foul jokes, or labor up howls of rage. Something is bound to come of all this. I cannot believe such a monstrous energy of grief can come from nothing!" (107).
Rather than attempting to break the static of his trouble-making persona, Grendel decides ( possibly satirically) that it must be his job to threaten the lives of people. He has been cornered into accepting a fate that he previously shied away from. Is Grendel's role as the general evil-doer a necessity to the balance of humankind? Is it Grendel or the kingdom that appears to be corralling Grendel into this type-cast? Are other roles, such as the hero or the bearer of greater truths needed in life, or can people attain heroism and truth(among other things) from more than one specific source?