Loneliness In Hrethel And Grendel

Feelings of loneliness and being lonesome are part of reality, yet the words have immensely different implications. While lonesome feelings are temporary, loneliness alludes to permanent emotional isolation. However, while loneliness implies a lack of friends or human relations, only surrounding oneself with those with mutual experiences will help alleviate this issue. Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, and Grendel, by John Gardner, demonstrate loneliness and its consequences through the plight of Hrethel and Grendel, consecutively. In Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel’s ruthless actions trace back to his underlying chronic loneliness, as he has no one with whom to talk or relate to. In contrast, in Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Hrethel is lonely after his son

Despite efforts to eradicate loneliness, if one fails to find those with homogeneous experiences and outlooks on life these efforts have little value.

One who is lonesome holds “an empty space inside oneself where either there was once something or where we hope someday there will be something” (O’Neal “Alone is Not the Same as Lonely”). Therefore, one who is lonesome believes the feelings of loneliness will pass and recognizes their feelings of lonesomeness as interim, as a loved one may soon return or new relationships fostered. An example of one who is lonesome is Hrethel from Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney. Hrethel is lonesome after his one son, Herebeald, accidentally killed his brother, Haethcyn, with a stray arrow because he lost the son he most enjoyed speaking to (class). However, Hrethel is