Grendel: An Introduction

Background Information Written by John Gardner in 1971 Retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of Grendel What are some benefits from writing this book from the monster’s perspective?

Gardner allows for the story of Beowulf to be seen in a new light. Instead of just viewing Grendel as a physical creature we get a glimpse of what he’s really like. We can understand Grendel’s loneliness and isolation. His strange connection to humans is understood through his fear of them and not just by his attacks on them. Presents an in depth analysis of the struggle between good and evil.

Similar to Beowulf , Gardner’s novel can also be described by sections. Section 1: Chapters 1-4 The world according to Grendel Section 2: Chapters 5-7 Supplemental characters from Beowulf Section 3: Chapters 8-12 Grendel’s End (spoiler alert!) Format of the Book

NIHILISM Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. 

“Nihilism” comes from the Latin nihil, or nothing, which means not anything, that which does not exist. It appears in the verb “annihilate,” meaning to bring to nothing, to destroy completely. For most of the 20th century nihilism has been associated with the belief that life is meaningless. Existential nihilism begins with the notion that the world is without meaning or purpose. Given this circumstance, existence itself–all action, suffering, and feeling–is ultimately senseless and empty.

Nietzsche’s Nihilism Among philosophers, Friedrich Nietzsche is most often associated with nihilism. For Nietzsche, there is no objective order or structure in the world except what we give it.  For Nietzsche, nihilism requires a radical repudiation of all imposed values and meaning: “Nihilism is . . . not only the belief that everything deserves to perish; but one actually puts one’s shoulder to the plough; one destroys” (Will to Power). Since Nietzsche’s compelling critique, nihilistic themes have preoccupied artists, social critics, and philosophers. 

JOHN GARDNER’ GRENDEL CHAPTER 1 AND 2 ANNOTATIONS Number/Highlight/Note…characterizations of Grendel. Number/Highlight/Note…allusions to the season or months of the year and their symbolic value. Number/Highlight/Note…evidence of Grendel’s feeding habits. How do his feeding habits bring realism to the text? Number/Highlight/Note…evidence of Grendel’s nihilistic views or thoughts. What key words signal this philosophy? Number/Highlight/Note…text that supports the theme of isolation. How is isolation a part of the setting? Number/Highlight/Note…your interpretation of Grendel yelling from atop the cliff into the chasm. What does the image represent? Number/Highlight/Note…examples of verbal irony during Grendel’s attack on Herot. Evaluate how the use of verbal irony characterizes Grendel. Number/Highlight/Note…evidence of how Grendel feels about language and communication? Number/Highlight/Note…descriptions that help to characterize Grendel’s mother. How does the characterization of Grendel’s mother relate to that of the epic poem Beowulf. Number/Highlight/Note…key events following the first time Grendel leaves the underworld and the first time he encounters man.