Post by jessicalee on Aug 26, 2013 2:59:46 GMT
I think that it is safe to say that Grendel is viewed as a threat to the humans. But, I found it interesting that while Grendel is deemed a monster, the humans are revered as heroes even though they both commit the same crime: murder. Although the war songs and the Shaper's tales both attempt to cover up the harsh realities of war by "telling of the glorious deeds of dead kings" (34) and turning murderers into warriors, the humans are nothing but hypocrites who are too clouded by their own prejudices to realize that they committed the same inexcusable crime they so fear. I think that this says a fair deal about the hypocrisy of mankind, which has been seen time and time again throughout history. It is easy for the humans to condemn Grendel for his actions, thinking of him as a savage, a killer, and a hideous monster simply because he looks different. So it seems that according to the humans in the novel, it is alright for man to kill man, but as soon as someone (or in this case, something) who appears to be different kills a man, it's game over and all hell breaks loose. Now, I am in no way advocating that all forms of life should be able to kill whoever or whatever they want, nor am I trying to justify Grendel's murderous actions. I simply believe that it is unfair that Grendel is a threat because he can so easily cause destruction, while the humans are at war doing the same thing.
So, what do you think? Is Gardner pointing out that humans are, in fact, hypocrites? Are people too quick to judge another's actions based on his/her/its appearance?
p.s. I realize that the subject of man vs. beast, monster morals vs. human morals (call it what you will) has been already touched upon, but I wanted to provide my own two cents on it and gear the discussion in a different direction.
So, what do you think? Is Gardner pointing out that humans are, in fact, hypocrites? Are people too quick to judge another's actions based on his/her/its appearance?
p.s. I realize that the subject of man vs. beast, monster morals vs. human morals (call it what you will) has been already touched upon, but I wanted to provide my own two cents on it and gear the discussion in a different direction.
