The role of storytelling is significant since it highlights the personalities and traits specific to important characters. Storytelling can also drive the plot, as seen in Homer’s The Odyssey and Virgil’s The Aeneid. These epics are based on the telling of the protagonist’s journey. However Grendel, written by John Gardner, utilizes storytelling in a different manner. The main character bases his self-understanding off of the storytelling done by the Shaper, a blind bard telling historical tales. The purpose of storytelling in Gardner’s, Homer’s and Virgil’s works is to personify the protagonist in what he does to truly define himself.
In John Gardner’s Grendel, the Shaper is an important contributing character that carries the plot in a historical sense. During the first encounter between the monster and the humans, Grendel hears of the stories and tales the Shaper is singing about in Hrothgar’s mead-hall. Throughout the story the Shaper tells about Danish history and the creation of man’s existence and Grendel is fascinated by this. After listening to the Shaper’s stories, Grendel starts to realize that what he is saying is not true, “I too crept away, my mind aswim in ringing phrases, magnificent, golden, and all of them, incredibly, lies,” and starts to question what is true and what is not (Gardner 43). The Shaper’s eloquent tales had a large effect on Grendel, “He told of an ancient feud between two brothers which split all the world between darkness and light. And I, Grendel, was the dark side...I believed him! Such was the power of the Shaper's harp!” (Gardner 52). Gardner’s writing of Grendel sheds light on a whole new side of Grendel, as opposed to the monstrous being in Beowulf; so much so that we can see a divide in G...
... middle of paper ...
...hey’ve done in their journey. There are clear similarities amongst all three pieces of literature in the essence of how significant storytelling is in personifying the protagonists. Gardner’s use of storytelling in Grendel relates to Homer’s The Odyssey and Virgil’s The Aeneid in a historical sense since the earlier works of literature are founded upon the use of storytelling as instilling moral values of the protagonist and what they have done to define themselves. Grendel understands his meaning of life, through beliefs of the Shaper and philosophies of the dragon, and ultimately discovers his identity.
Works Cited
Gardner, John. Grendel. 1971. New York: Vintage, 1989. Print.
Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. 8th ed. New York:
Norton, 2006. Print.
----. “Homer.” Lawall 100-106.
Homer. The Odyssey. Lawall 206-495.
Particularly in chapter 3, Grendel listens as a blind old man, the Shaper, tells the tale of Danish history to Hrothgar. Though what is told is largely fictitious, Grendel cannot help but to feel strangely moved by the brilliance of the Shaper’s story. “Thus I fled, ridiculous hairy creature torn apart by poetry—crawling, whimpering, streaming tears, across the world like a two-headed beast, like mixed-up lamb and kid at the tail of a baffled, indifferent ewe—and I gnashed my teeth and clutched the sides of my head as if to heal the split, but I couldn’t.” (Grendel, John Gardner, pg.44) In this moment, Grendel’s mind is split between what he understands to be true and the truth that is desired. The world is callous and careless, blunt and belligerent; this he knows. However, with the artistic style and formation of the Shaper’s words, he is brought to tears and is captivated by his spiritual and emotional yearnings. Grendel is also overwhelmed with disgust and shame for himself and his vile
Theme is the message of the story, while character development is the way the author creates the character within the novel. In the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, the reader gathers a lot information in regards to the changes of Grendel’s development. The way Gardner presents Grendel is a key element towards the plot of the story. Gardner does a great job to embody the stages towards the change of Grendel’s image. Throughout the story, the reader could see Grendel first not knowing the real world, then finally realizing what life is. Grendel is used in Grendel as symbol that represents evil. It does not matter if a character thinks there on the good side or bad side; it is how the society views them. Grendel is a victim of ancestry and society, which which implies that Grendel is automatically fraud. Gardner also potrays the theme of with isolation, could create hatred to the world and a different way of living.
Grendel, as a character, has a much more complex identity than just a monster and a human. Some, such as Ruud, classify him as a mixture of three different characteristics, but alone, they tend to conflict with each other. By making the connection that Grendel represents immorality, the previous idea makes more sense, while simultaneously incorporating more aspects of the character into the analysis. In either case, Grendel represents much more than meets the eye, and provides a fascinating insight into
Throughout the novel, this monster, Grendel, seems confused as to whether he wants to view life like his existentialistic dragon mentor, or like the ignorantly optimistic humans on which he feeds. At times he is captivated by the romantic songs of the Shaper, and feels no desire to kill, while at others he thrives on the "knowledge" of the dragon, and goes on bloody rampages. At one point during Grendel's insecure state, the dragon tells him something that changes his outlook, and gives him a new feeling of self-worth.
Grendel exhibits human feelings and characteristics in many ways. Although Grendel is a monster “forced into isolation by his bestial appearance and limited imagination” (Butts) he yearns to be a part of society; he craves companionship while he is isolated. With his “ear pressed tight against the timbers [of Hart]” (43), he watches and listens to the humans and what goes on in Hart, the meadhall of King Hrothgar, to feel like he is a part of civilization. He also has feelings in relation to specific humans. Just like the citizens of Denmark, he is extremely affected by the Shaper and his songs that are “aswim in ringing phrases, magnificent, golden, all of them, incredibly, lies” (43). Grendel is profoundly “moved by the power of the Shaper’s poetry” (Butts). Queen Wealtheow shows Grendel the feminine, sweet, and kind side of life. “She had secret wells of joy that overflowed to them all” and her peaceful effect on those around her is a main cause of Grendel’s almost obsessive fascination with her and in turn, drives Grendel to feelings of rage. Grendel’s humanlike feelings show that his personality is similar to that of a human, helping those who read his story to relate to him.
John Gardner’s novel Grendel deals with finding meaning in the world, the power of literature and myth, and the nature of good and evil. The motif of darkness is repeatedly applied to symbolize the old life of Grendel and to contrast the forces of good and evil, heaven and hell. This use of darkness exposes Grendel’s depression in his youth, and his need to make everything in life appear better than it was. This realization of Grendel’s characteristics uncovers the true personality and the traumatic experience that haunts him.
In the novel, Grendel, there is a monster from the underworld who is declared to be named Grendel. Throughout the story, the reader witnesses the evolution of Grendel from a baby bear into an evil monstrosity. Throughout the novel, Grendel deals with the humans, being tormented by a dragon, and influenced by The Shaper. The user can draw many connections with the novel to modern day life, especially the connection between The Shaper, Grendel, and the dragon compared to Jesus, mortals, and Satan.
Gardner paints a crystal clear picture in this quote, that Grendel has accepted his fate as what the humans portray him as, a monster. Grendel has been ‘shaped’ by the humans to be the monster that physical appearance portrays him as and in doing so realizes that he himself is animalistic and embraces it. To restate, Gardner uses crude diction to convey his point and add more character to Grendel.
Someone once said, “stories can conquer fear. They can make the heart bigger.” In Grendel by John Gardner, the dragon represents immortal monsterhood and its lawlessness. The Shaper represents the mortality and noble pursuits of human culture. The Shaper and the dragon act as philosophically opposing forces in Grendel’s mind as he discovers how to define himself in relation to the rest of the world and explores the monumental power of stories.
In this 1971 novel by American author John Gardner, Grendel’s identity is developed in this book through major and minor events that affect him remarkably. Grendel is a tortured character and is all alone which makes him feel angry towards anyone he encounters. The outlook he has on life and the way it makes him think changes his identity from carefree to tortured. The way people act around him is what makes his character develop. Also the way Grendel is made so differently from everyone else plays a huge role on his character. Grendel’s character changes through the way man and creatures act around him, his relationship with his mom, and the way he is made so differently from others.
John Gardner’s Grendel portrays a monster searching for his purpose in life. The characters know the meaning of their lives, but Grendel tries to discover his role and what life has to offer him. Grendel discovers his identity through other characters’ actions and beliefs. In Grendel, John Gardner illustrates the contrasting views of each character to show their view of society and the influence they have on Grendel.
In literature there are many aspects and different narratives of the same story which is subject to change. There are numerous ideas which can be captured and conceived according to the reviewer and very good examples of such literary work are Mythological tales. Most commonly renowned mythological work is of “Homers Odyssey” and the “Epic of Gilgamesh” with major emphasis on the tentative issue of “heroism”. Odysseus belonged to mainland Europe and Gilgamesh Epic is Middle Eastern work with Gilgamesh’s tale having been written on twelve tablets of clay. Both these tales are folklore and are considered an Epic which means a saga, Heroic Poem, narrative or Legend. A frenzy of events takes place including achievements and prominent individuals playing their roles in the course of history. An exemplar or a hero is present in both the narratives which are “Odysseus and Gilgamesh” respectively.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.
In the novel, Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel, the protagonist, suffers the pain of isolation. He is ignored by many animals, too incompetent for him. He is considered an enemy by some animals such as the bull and humans. He is only accepted by his mother and his imaginary friends. Grendel finds ways to make light of this. He curiously observes everything and appreciates it for some time. Until he realizes it's a pattern, a chaotic repetition of itself. Grendel finds many truths from observing yet is conflicted when the Shaper comes along. The Shaper tells tales that are so convincing and draw in anyone listening, including Grendel. Although he knows that the Shaper is wrong, he can't resist the stories meaning. As he is ashamed of himself
“Beowulf” is an early medieval epic that was written in Old English in the ninth century. This epic was also during the heroic ages, which its sole copy can be dated around 1000, which was a time of rich flowering of Anglo-Saxon literature and learning, which expresses in both Old English and Anglo-Latin poetry. (p.107 Puchner, Martin) After reading the epic of “Beowulf,” I decided to write a character analysis on the notorious character Grendel. This epic reflects twelve years of war with Hrothgar, the country people and himself, Grendel. In analyzing, I will express my thoughts and quotes that reference to Grendel’s appearance, his personality and how others in the epic work view or interact with him.