Zodiac Signs In Grendel Essay

In Grendel the author John Gardner incorporates astrological signs with each chapter. The author uses each zodiac sign to demonstrate Grendel's feelings and mental instability. The zodiac signs also demonstrate the challenges Grendel faces and his resolutions. These experiences influence Grendel's growth throughout the story. The first sign demonstrated, Aries, Is shown with his encounter with a ram and how Grendel aggressively approaches it show his arrogance. This aggressive manner and arrogant mentality is a common trait of an Aries and is expressed greatly through Chapter One.
In the second chapter of Grendel the astrological sign of taurus is used as Grendel screams to his mother for help during a time in need. This neediness is a common trait shared in taurus as they rely on a strong figure in their life. Another trait Grendel represents in this chapter is the taurus stubbornness as grendel can simply ignore the bull but decides to yell and scream at it. Grendel also represents the practical side of a taurus when he becomes more reasonable towards life as he concludes that he is alone in the world and no one is going to help him. This aloneness can be also shown in his vocals as Grendel is the only
This brings a whole new meaning to the book as it portrays Grendel in each zodiac. The placement and the order of the zodiac also influences the story as time continues, slight hint of the next zodiac are shown in the chapters before. This shows us the progression of Grendel and his views on his cruel reality which he tries to deny. Grendel also is a symbol of all the zodiacs as he progressively molds all the traits of the zodiacs into one at the end which he is his most “monstrous”.The end of the book also comes with the end of the astrological order which can be interpreted as the world has a set order and not abiding by the order creates chaos as we seen in