The Prude Ruiner of Meahalls, Wrecker of Kings

What caught my attention, even in the very first few pages of the book, is that Grendel does not seem particularly fond, if that is even the correct word, of reproduction. It is even more than he just isn’t interested in the act of reproducing; Grendel consistently proves to shun anything in association. In the very early stages of meeting Grendel he encounters a ram and thinks, “His hindparts shiver with the usual joyful, mindless ache to mount whatever happens near-the storm piling up black towers to the west, some rotting, docile stump, some spraddle-legged ewe. I cannot bear to look” (6.) Yes, Grendel is more complicated in thought than the ram, so it makes sense he is the slightest bit put off by the ram’s horniness (Get it? Ram joke.) but Grendel even finds the repulsiveness in human sexuality. Going back to a quote discussed in Emily’s thread, "I would begin by holding her over the fire and cooking the ugly hole between her legs." (pg. 109) Grendel bursts into Wealtheow’s room, almost attempts to kill her, yet his main focus is what is between her legs. And what is there does not make him happy.

So, why doesn’t Grendel show much interest in reproduction, sexuality, or anything of that kind? My theory is that Grendel is a character created for Beowulf’s purposes, a character that is designed for the mere purpose to be destroyed. This is why Grendel finds no meaning in life; his meaning is to be killed and he does not know his ending yet. All animals, including human beings, feel the desire to reproduce. We know Grendel is an animal, so why does he not express this need? Him being a creation for Beowulf’s journey also answers the question of why his mother gave birth to him while the only other creatures in the cave are ancient beings.