Analysis of Grendel by John Gardner

• Grendel was published by John Gardner in 1971.
• It tells the story of Grendel, the monster in the epic Beowulf, from his perspective.

Characterization of Grendel

• Grendel's best friend is his shadow.
• Even though he sometimes acts like a teenager, he is mature because he observes.
• Some of his positive characteristics include:
• philosophical and curious
• persistent
• emotional
• loving
• courageous
• intelligent
• Grendel develops an existentialist philosophy (only sees what surrounds him) because of his lack of communication with society.

Zodiac Signs

1. Chapter 1 - Ares (the ram)
• Grendel is annoyed at the ram because it doesn't budge, but neither does he when other people come.
• He is annoyed with the ram in the same way the people are annoyed with him.
• He calls the ram "triumphantly stupid."
• Grendel is obstinate throughout the novel, and people get annoyed with him.
2. Chapter 2 - Taurus (the bull)
• The bull arrives to protect the calf, and Grendel's mom comes to his rescue.
• Grendel has a tough outer appearance, like a bull.
3. Chapter 3 - Gemini (twins - good/evil, truth/fiction)
• Grendel is struggling between two different sides of his mind: whether to be good, or whether to be evil.
• He cannot see the difference between truth and fiction, especially after hearing the Shaper.
• This hinders him from developing a consistent philosophy.
4. Chapter 4 - Cancer (crab)
• Grendel was a recluse/hermit because he backs away from society.
• "The sun backs away from the world like a crab, so then it's evident we have darkness."
• darkness = evil
5. Chapter 5 - Leo (lion, one who roars - the dragon)
• Grendel is all-powerful until he meets his match, the dragon.
• He's intimidated by the dragon because he can read his mind; he wants to be like a dragon.
• "The same way people are afraid of you, you're afraid of me." - the dragon
6. Chapter 6 - Virgo (Unferth)
• Grendel calls Unferth a virgin because he has no experience in battles or death.
• He also calls the people of Herot, king Hrothgar's mead hall, "virgins as virgins."
7. Chapter 7 - Libra (balance - war/peace)
• Grendel wants a balance between war and peace.
8. Chapter 8 - Scorpio (scorpion)
• Hrothulf, the king's nephew, is called "sweet scorpion" by Grendel.
• Hrothulf is obsessed with power; sweet with the people of Herot, but has a thirst for vengeance and brutality.
9. Chapter 9 - Sagittarius (archery)
• Archery is used to emphasize the fact that Grendel is on a time limit in life, and will always be under the constrain of time.
• "The days are an arrow in a dead man's chest."
• Grendel feels his days are worthless, and can't be removed or altered.
10. Chapter 10 - Capricorn (goat)
• The symbolism that the goat implies gives the most accurate description of Grendel's traits.
• Grendel is obstinate, just like the goat, and he continually strives for a goal that is unattainable because of society.
• Grendel is constantly under the rules of society, in the same way that the goat is under Grendel's power.
11. Chapter 11 - Aquarius (water)
• The water-bearer is Beowulf due to the fact that his magnificent strength is exposed to Grendel when he splits the water with his hands.
12. Chapter 12 - Pisces (fish)
• Beowulf is the fish because he, with his strength and bravery, is able to get through the obstacles and rigid water that surround Grendel.
• Grendel has met his last struggle when he fights Beowulf.
• "There will be fish where the water is rigid, and men will survive."