Grendel
As told in the epic poem Beowulf, Grendel is portrayed as a hideous, heartless, murderous monster that destroys people for pure amusement. In the novel Grendel, we see the other side of evil, view the world through the eyes of this crude monster and learn that the fame-seeking heroes of Beowulf depict him unfairly. Every story has two sides, and in reading Grendel we come to understand and comprehend the character of Grendel and his side of the story, which clearly shows that the novel is not a prequel, or sequel to the epic poem. In one aspect, Beowulf portrays Grendel as a murderous monster, killing only for pleasure, as it's read from Beowulf, "He snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind him (p.22)." However, the novel Grendel offer
With symbolism in almost every chapter, and underlying themes under almost every printed line does not connect with amusement and entertainment. Depicted as murderous in Beowulf, Grendel is pretty conservative in the novel. " Grendel is a helpless victim, falling prey to Hrothgar's army, and during and after the assault, not one hair on an army man's head has been harmed. " Grendel shares his most intimate times with us, the reader, allowing us to reflect on how he feels, making us look past the "monster" stereotype. Having intimate feelings and thoughts, weeping and being disgusted at war do not share the same qualities as being labeled a demon and cursed by God. Beowulf is more of a straightforward, epic poem, read more for entertainment and amusement. On the contrary, the whole of the novel Grendel is Grendel sharing and relating his inner feelings to the reader, showing almost human-like characteristics. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. He doesn't understand why all the warring goes on between the various armies and this makes him sick and upset, as Grendel states from the safety of his tree, "I was disgusted, if only at the waste of it: all they killed-cows, horses, men-they left to rot or burn (p. The novel is far more complex and has maze-like characteristics, in that there are a million twists and turns in solving the symbolism and thematic ideas throughout the novel. In reading Grendel, one is able to explore many different meanings behind the symbols throughout the novel, and exploring what lies beneath the facade of the story. Through many differences in the two, one can clearly see that the novel Grendel is in no way an addition to the epic poem Beowulf. There are two sides to every story, the fame-seeking heroes have their account in the poem Beowulf, and the "hideous, murderous monster" has his in the novel Grendel.
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