Grendelby John Gardner
Overview:
John Gardner wrote Grendel in response to books written in the existentialist vein (Heller, Vonnegut): Gardner’s philosophy posits the necessity of art’s being moral and offering the reader hope, unlike works such as Catch 22 and Slaughterhouse 5, which offer a dark world without the possibility of light. Grendelis organized into twelve chapters, each of which emphasizes a zodiac sign and corresponding heroic value. Gardner portrays Grendel, Herot’s marauding murderer, as an existential monster a la’ Jean-Paul Sartre; Grendel denies that life has any essential meaning. While Hrothgar and his Danes strive to live valuable lives and find meaning in abstract ideas such as love, heroism, and loyalty, Grendel pursues hedonism. Grendel finds enjoyment and some temporary kind of meaning in life by ravaging man. Grendel attacks the heroic value illustrated in each chapter, but these ideals slowly affect him, eventually softening his behavior. His fatal confrontation with Beowulf, the epitome of the Anglo-Saxon heroic ideal, arguably results in Grendel’s conversion and his recognition of the necessity for values in life.
Discussion questions
Chapter 1 – Aries
Each chapter of the book is associated with the passing of time, as sign of the zodiac, and a heroic ideal. Chapter 1 opens with Grendel’s furor directed at a horned ram (ARIES). The heroic ideal in this first chapter is the cycle of life. The time of year is spring.
Find examples of Grendel’s hatred of life and the life cycle.
Find some examples of kennings and alliteration.
Which human does Grendel say he is forced to admire?
Chapter 2 – Taurus
Taurus is the second zodiac sign (the bull), and the affiliated heroic ideal is caring love for living things.
How are bulls prominent in this chapter?
Give some examples of “caring love for living things” in this chapter.
Baby Grendel has an epiphany which is the beginning of his existential philosophy of life. What does he realize?
Grendel first meets Hrothgar and the Danes here; why does Grendel call the men “dangerous”? How are they different from other living creatures?
Chapter 3 – Gemini
Gemini is the zodiac sign, twins are the symbol, and the heroic value is poetry and art.
What twins are mentioned in this chapter?
The Shaper (scop) represents poetry and art. Why does Grendel criticize him?
In what ways does the Shaper affirm Gardner’s philosophy regarding the artist’s moral responsibility?
Chapter 4 – Cancer
The zodiac sign is Cancer, the symbol is the crab, and the heroic value is the home.
What crabs do you find in this chapter?
Who inspires Hrothgar to build Herot?
What does Herot represent to the Danes?
Note that Grendel attacks Herot here. Contrast Grendel’s home with Herot.
How does the Shaper positively affect the behavior of the Danes?
What does Grendel mean when he says that although the scop’s song is “a cold blooded lie,” he “wants it”?
Note the feeling of cold existential despair that surrounds Grendel and wakes him at night.
Chapter 5 – Leo
Leo is the zodiac sign, the lion is the symbol, and knowledge is the heroic value. The dragon is obviously the “lion” in this chapter. His knowledge is existential and nihilist.
The dragon convinces Grendel to terrorize the Danes when he urges him to “seek gold and sit on it” and “scare men to glory.” What does he mean by these statements?
Does the dragon see anything special about life (especially human life)? Explain his comments about the difference between “a jug, a carrot, and man.”
What does the dragon suggest about heroism and nobility? What do they require? Do you agree?
Chapter 6 – Virgo
The zodiac sign is Virgo, the symbol is the virgin, and heroism is the value.
How is Unferth a “virgin”?
How does Grendel feel about heroism in this chapter?
Why do you think Grendel has found “unearthly joy” when he begins his attacks on the men?
What is Unferth’s definition of a hero? Do you agree?
Chapter 7 – Libra
The zodiac sign is Libra, the symbol is scales or a balance and marriage is the heroic value.
What evidence of balance is in this chapter?
How does Grendel attack this balance?
What does Grendel mean by comments such as “Pity poor Grengar, Hrothdel’s foe”? and “What will we call the Hrothgar-wrecker when Hrothgar has been wrecked?”
What qualities are evident in Wealtheow?
What effect does she have on the Danes? On Grendel?
Why does Grendel stop himself from raping or killing Wealtheow? Note that he has never attacked the Shaper, either.
Chapter 8 – Scorpio
The zodiac sign is Scorpio, the symbol is the scorpion, and the heroic value is loyalty.
Are there scorpions in this chapter? Explain.
Which characters are disloyal in this chapter?
How does Grendel explain their disloyalty?
Note that this chapter seems to be a movie directed by Grendel. How might this technique reinforce the idea of Grendel as an alienated creature?
Note that Grendel begins to compose poetry here. Do you think people and their values might be having an effect on him? Explain.
Chapter 9 – Sagittarius
The zodiac sign is Sagittarius, the symbol is the archer, and the heroic value is religion.
Grendel describes the archer who shoots the deer. What might be foreshadowed here?
This chapter begins in December. What associations does this month have?
How does Grendel attack religion in this chapter?
Note that both Ork and the Shaper have the same handicap. Why can they “see”?
Chapter 10 – Capricorn
The zodiac sign is Capricorn, the symbol is the goat, and the heroic value is hope.
How is the goat in this chapter a symbol of hope and perseverance?
Explain what the old lady’s hopeful story is foreshadowing?
Why does Grendel say that the Shaper’s death is “the end of an epoch”?
Why does he say, “We’re on our own again. Abandoned”?
Chapter 11 – Aquarius
The zodiac sign is Aquarius, the symbol is the water carrier, and the heroic value is friendship.
Look at the imagery describing Beowulf. How does is suggest a different kind of hero?
Describe Grendel’s reactions to Beowulf’s arrival.
Chapter 12 – Pisces
The zodiac sign is Pisces, the symbol is the fish, and the heroic value is faith.
What fish is prominent in this chapter?
Beowulf is the champion of faith – faith in what?
Explain his words as he kills Grendel – what does he force Grendel to do? Why?
Why does Grendel, near death, ask himself, “Is it joy I feel?”
Do you think Grendel is a dynamic character (having an internal change) by the books end, or a static one who does not change?