Death of arthur

Grendel Analysis Grendel is seen as a ruthless and coldhearted monster in Burton Raffel’s translation of Beowulf. He is hated by the Danish people and is thought to have an animalistic personality. “He is portrayed as a three sided figure: part monster, part devil, part human” (Ruud 3). In John Gardner’s novel, Grendel is not an animal or a devil, but is a creature that is misunderstood with a conscience. “I shake my head, muttering darkly on shaded paths, holding conversation with the only friend and comfort this world affords, my shadow” (Gardner 8). Grendel is a very lonely and depressed individual. All he wants is a friend and people to not be afraid of him. Grendel is a vicious killer because he is all alone in life. He knows killing is wrong, but does not care because he is depressed and angry. “The world resists me and I resist the world.” (Gardner 28) Due to Grendel’s ugly and monstrous appearance, people resist and hurt him. The first time humans saw Grendel, they attacked him for attempting to speak. “Grendel is alienated from Hrothgar’s society by the fact that he refuses to accept the values of law and order inherent in that society, in the face of what he knows to be a chaotic and meaningless universe” (Ruud 1). The world causes problems for Grendel, so Grendel causes problems for the world. The Danes attacked Grendel and resent him, so he attacks their meadhall. “Grendel doesn’t want peace; his spite drives him only to destroy those who have what he does not—joy, comfort, and security” (Ruud 6). In conclusion, I think Grendel definitely has a conscience, but chooses to act immorally because he is completely misunderstood. How would you behave if everyone resented you in life? I do not blame Grendel for being angry and a nuisance.