Grendel blog (Day later due to computer problems)

Grendel by John Gardner never ceases to amaze me. Chapters 6-7 really highlight the influence of people around you on how you act day to day. First the dragon changes his thought processes. In Chapter 6 we see the quote, "I felt a strange, unearthly joy. It was as if I'd made some incredible discovery...Wrecker of kings."(79-80). After his conversation with the dragon it is as if he is tranformed. Due to the fact that when he emerges from his mom he is looking for guidance and gains it in this serpentile creature he is almost cursed from the beginning. By gaining cynical knowledge of the world around him Grendel can now go forth believeing that he knows himself. A charm is placed on him which acts as a trance forever putting him at the will of this evil being; therefore turning his nature from good to bad. In the beginning we see him as only killing for food and eatin a few man to mock their community, but after consulting the Dragon he believes his actions are what stirs up the community and ultimatly bring them together. Having this type of hubris foreshadows his enevitable downfall. In chapter 6 unferth preaches about the overall ideals of a true hero. The fact that Grendel destroys him is a direct result of the dragons power over him. Unferth is a brave, daring, loyal, person who's ultimatly willing to die for a cause greater than himself, which in this case is his community. With the slaughter of Unferth Grendel is enacting a self- fulfilling prophecy. Born from cain he actually is killing his own blood. He lives among these people technicall he is their brother , but he has now become the "wrecker of kings" becoming what the world wants him to be. Even when Unferth says, "I'll kill myself"....grendel responds with "up to you". Now he becomes just as conniving as the dragon. He lives by the principle that nothing really matters and everything dies at some point in time. Chapter 7 Grendel has enough strength to enact his own laws. He says, "There is no limit to desire but desires needs". Even though he gains confidence through the dragons guidance, he still falls victim to the captivation of the queen. She is able to move him as much as the shaper did, if not more. The queen acts as a christ-like character displaying the qualities of true innner heroism. She gives herself over to the enemy in order to save her community, this is the ultimate sacrifice. Also, she tells a depressed Unferth that the sins he committed against his brother are in the past which shows forgiveness. When she enters a room all the glory is placed on her and not simply because she is beautiful. She even brings the two warring states together as they eat. At first it was an awkward dinner because they were calling on Beowolf to rescue them from Grendel. The queen highlights how they must work together to defend their lives and forms a communion among the men. Looking at balance in this chapter she also acts as the leveling aspect to their world. Grendel defiles her to show that even she is not purre. This contradiction helps keep both societies at ease, because in the underworld Grendel knows that has power over the people just as they do over him. This novel helped show the other side of the great story of Beowolf. It makes the reader evaluate their concept of good and evil. Grendel can not be considered purely evil because he is only acting from the guidance he is given and his natural instinct.