John Gardner's 'Essential Themes In Grendel'

Pete Benck
Ms. Finnegan
AP Literature
28 October 2005

An Essential Theme in John Gardner's Grendel
In art museums, there are ageless paintings and sculptures. On the radio, classical music and classic rock is still played. These are some of today's ways of carrying on the past through art forms. The painter and the rock legend are artists immortalized through their works. The artists in Grendel are the Shaper and the court harper. Their singing of great men's deeds, no matter how inflated or even untrue, turns men and their deeds immortal. Single artists come and go, but those with a true talent will remain everlasting and will inspire others. As Grendel, the unwelcoming monster, stays stubbornly committed to nihilism, the Shaper shows
In the beginning of the novel, Grendel declares his hatred towards his surroundings. "The sky ignores me… Him too I hate, the same as I hate these brainless, budding trees, these brattling birds" (6). It seems that his addiction to hatred leaves Grendel impermeable to any outside guidance. Through mainly intimidation, Grendel never lets others communicate. His mother, for instance, is completely mute and riddled with anxiety in his presence. Grendel's stubborn ways begin to wane as the Shaper emerges. Before, Grendel never listened to anyone, he only talked to himself. "Talking, talking, spinning a spell, pale skin of words that closes me in like a coffin" (15). Then, the Shaper comes with his well-versed stories and Grendel is fascinated. Suddenly, it becomes apparent that emotion, communication and expression are the remedy to infinite sadness. As the Shaper plays for only Hrothgar at a distance, the powerful expression of his song lures Grendel out of hopelessness and into happiness. "My heart was light with Hrothgar's goodness, and leaden with grief at my own bloodthirsty ways" (48). The music makes such an impression on Grendel, because he is now disgusted by his old, vicious ways. The Shaper's expression is legendary to Grendel; it causes the first diverge from his
This is probably why he earns a living and creates a noble reputation by telling stories. Hrothgar and the neighboring Dane people seek the Shaper's stories for the same reason Grendel does: moral support. The Shaper's stories promote altruism and love—all enriching concepts that the Danes (and eventually Grendel) come to see as giving meaning to their lives. With these ideals in mind, the Danes feel they are striving for something more uplifting than their mundane, individual lives. Although Grendel is aware that the Shaper's beautiful songs are built upon a foundation of lies, he is mesmerized, in turn wishes he had something to believe in. "What was he? The man that had changed the world… and they, who knew the truth, remembered it his way – and so did I" (43). This breakthrough is a testament that the artist makes a difference in the life of dejected