Grendel: A Tragic Existence
By: Imran Blackall
What is a monster? Is it the insecurities in our lives that we avoid or a culmination of our fears transformed into a tangible object created by our mind just to trick us? What if there were more characteristics to a monster than the negative attributes we stereotype them with? Can a monster be a good entity simply hidden behind the evil accusations? Well, I believe that Grendel from Beowulf is a monster simply misunderstood by a race of humans who have let religious beliefs cloud their judgment. Considering John Gardner's Grendel, the monster is simply an individual seeking acknowledgment and purpose for his existence.
In Beowulf, the narrator discusses the creation of Heorot, the great meadhall of the Danes, and mentions that an evil demon prowls their land. He states that the demon comes from a religious origin: "...in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts" (page 9). With religion as their main tool for understanding the world, the Danes have suggested that Grendel was born of Cain, who had committed fratricide. This act of evil banished Cain from God's land causing Grendel to be ridiculed as well; HE DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING! With this religious belief masking Grendel's character, the Danes and many other tribes have grown to hate and attack Grendel leaving him at a disadvantage from the beginning.
Looking at the perspective of the monster in Grendel, he questions his very existence in the world trying to seek his true purpose. Grendel asks his mother, "Why are we here?...Why do we stand this putrid, stinking hole?" (page 11). He asks what caused them to live in a piss-poor cave indicating that he was created in an unfortunate circumstance that left him at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Grendel ridicules the religion that has stereotyped him as a wicked beast. When watching Hrothgar in his meadhall, he laughs stating, "They'd map out road through Hell with their crackpot theories!" (Page 13). Grendel refers to religion as crackpot theories because he believes they are simply wild accusations with no authentic evidence. I too would think that their beliefs are stupid if the religion stereotyped me.
Overall, Grendel has a tragic existence where religion has classified him as a demon that no living being should encounter. This creates an isolated environment for Grendel who is punished for the murderous acts of his creator, Cain, leaving him to question his existence and purpose in the world. Adding insult to injury, both Beowulf and Grendel mentions his death fully depicting that Grendel lived a miserable life and died because of it.
