Curse Of Grendel In Beowulf
“Poor Grendel’s had an accident, I whisper. so may you all” (Gardner 174). I think it is Grendel’s hatred of the society of mankind that develops throughout the novel, leading to his ultimate curse he lays upon them with those words. “I knew I was dealing with no mechanical bull, but with thinking creatures, pattern makers, the most dangerous things i'd ever met” (Gardner 27). This quote is an example of why I think Grendel's last words refer to a curse to mankind. Grendel believes mankind are the most dangerous and terrifying creatures out there and deserve to be cursed as they have treated him so bad. For example “But they were doomed, I knew, and I was glad. No denying it. Let them wander the fogroads of Hell” (Gardner 53). Grendel wishes
nothing but the worst for mankind. As the quote states he hopes they go to hell. This is why Grendel says “so may you all” as they treated him bad he wants all the men to receive or go through the same pain they all put Grendel through. Grendel isn't referring to the animals that surrounded him the night of his death, but to the people that made him go through hell. I think in the end Grendel realizes something greater or a purpose in life. He wants everyone to experience the type of feeling that was given to him. Although Grendel did hate all the men he held back one night. “I could finish them off in a single night, pull down the great carved beams and crush them in the meadhall.. yet I held back” (Gardner 91). He wished he could have ended with them all at once, but he knew it would end to his favor. In continuation, Grendel did not wish to bless any of the men, but to curse them all as he died without pursuing his purpose in life.
nothing but the worst for mankind. As the quote states he hopes they go to hell. This is why Grendel says “so may you all” as they treated him bad he wants all the men to receive or go through the same pain they all put Grendel through. Grendel isn't referring to the animals that surrounded him the night of his death, but to the people that made him go through hell. I think in the end Grendel realizes something greater or a purpose in life. He wants everyone to experience the type of feeling that was given to him. Although Grendel did hate all the men he held back one night. “I could finish them off in a single night, pull down the great carved beams and crush them in the meadhall.. yet I held back” (Gardner 91). He wished he could have ended with them all at once, but he knew it would end to his favor. In continuation, Grendel did not wish to bless any of the men, but to curse them all as he died without pursuing his purpose in life.