Summary

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Gardner’s novel Grendel offers a fresh perspective on the ancient epic of Beowulf by centering the narrative on the monster itself. This retelling provides an introspective journey into Grendel's thoughts and motivations, offering nuance and empathy to a creature traditionally depicted as evil. By reimagining the story through Grendel's eyes, Gardner explores themes of language, identity, and the search for meaning.

Overview of Beowulf

"Beowulf" is the earliest known epic poem in the English language, dating to as early as the seventh century A.D., with its only surviving manuscript from around 1000 A.D. It tells of King Hrothgar's magnificent meadhall, Heorot, which faces nightly assaults by the fearsome Grendel. The protagonist, Beowulf, comes from Geatland to aid Hrothgar, seeking to defeat the monster and gain renown.

The story unfolds as Beowulf confronts Grendel, managing to rip off the monster's arm, leading to Grendel's eventual death. Later, Grendel's mother exacts revenge, prompting Beowulf to seek her out and kill her too. Years later, an older Beowulf, now king of the Geats, battles a hoarding dragon. In this climactic fight, both Beowulf and the dragon meet their demise.

Chapters 1-4: Grendel's Worldview

Gardner's narrative structure in Grendel consists of twelve chapters, mirroring Grendel's twelve-year struggle against Hrothgar and symbolically aligning with the twelve months of a year. The story isn't linear; it utilizes flashbacks, allusions, and hints of future events to weave its tale. Present-tense sections guide the reader through the twelfth year of Grendel’s conflict, interspersed with past-tense reflections that illuminate his backstory and development.

The novel opens during April, under the sign of the ram, with Grendel observing his surroundings and noting his preoccupation with language: "Talking, talking. Spinning a web of words, pale walls of dreams, between myself and all I see." Residing in a cave beneath a fiery body of water with his beast-like, mute mother, Grendel alone possesses the gift of speech.

In Chapter 2, Grendel's memory reaches back to his first encounter with humans when he was trapped in a tree and cried out for his mother. Remarkably, he comprehends their language, although they do not understand him. Rescued by his mother, Grendel becomes an observer of humans, watching as the Danes slowly develop their civilization. Hrothgar rises as the most influential king, driven by a belief in the strategic purpose of war.

A blind poet, the Shaper, arrives at Hrothgar’s court, leaving a profound impact on Grendel. The Shaper's narratives transform the past, and even those who know the truth remember events as the Shaper recounts them: "The man had changed the world, had torn up the past by its thick, gnarled roots and had transmuted it, and they who knew the truth remembered it his way—and so did I." Significantly, the Shaper casts Grendel as a descendant of Cain, marking him as an embodiment of evil, a role Grendel reluctantly accepts.

Chapters 5-7: Philosophical Insights

Disturbed by the Shaper’s portrayal, Grendel seeks out the dragon for answers about the universe. The dragon, featured in Beowulf's final battle, dismisses the Shaper's stories as mere "illusion of reality," asserting that they falsely assure the men of purpose and order in life. According to the dragon, humans' rituals and beliefs are meaningless, and he advises Grendel to "seek out gold and sit on it."

Upon parting from the dragon, Grendel discovers a newfound invulnerability to human weapons, which the dragon has bestowed upon him. He begins his assaults on Hrothgar’s meadhall, consuming men with impunity. Unferth, a bold warrior, confronts Grendel in an attempt to achieve heroism through combat. However, Grendel's verbal engagement and refusal to fight...

(This entire section contains 977 words.)

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baffle Unferth, who is unable to process the monster's use of language.

Grendel mocks Unferth by responding with words and pelting him with apples instead of killing him, a gesture that leaves the warrior humiliated. Unferth later tracks Grendel to his lair, where they discuss the nature of heroism. Grendel, by sparing Unferth’s life and dismissing his attempts at valor, suggests that life lacks inherent meaning: "So much for heroism."

Through a flashback, Grendel introduces Wealtheow, the queen offered to Hrothgar by her brother to secure peace during the second year of Grendel's raids. Her presence signifies harmony and service to the greater good, as her name, "holy servant of common good," suggests. Although Grendel attacks the hall, he ultimately spares Wealtheow, a decision reflecting a complex mix of motivations.

Chapters 8-12: Climax and Conclusion

Chapter 8 centers on Hrothgar's nephew, Hrothulf, who arrives at the hall with ambitions fueled by resentment and a thirst for power. Grendel contemplates the growing "idea of violence" within the young man. This is followed by Grendel's encounter with a priest, prompting reflections on religion's nature and purpose.

As the story nears its climax, Grendel is plagued by ennui and witnesses the death of the Shaper, whose influence had once altered his perception of reality. Meanwhile, Grendel's mother becomes increasingly protective, trying to keep him from leaving their lair.

In the penultimate chapter, new visitors arrive at Hrothgar’s shores. Among them is a hero known to readers as Beowulf, whose presence excites Grendel. During a nighttime attack, Grendel makes a fatal mistake by allowing Beowulf to seize him by the wrist. Beowulf imparts philosophical musings on the cyclical nature of existence, suggesting that even in destruction, something will endure and regenerate.

Although immune to weapons, Grendel is overpowered by Beowulf's sheer strength, culminating in the tearing of Grendel's arm. Mortally wounded, Grendel retreats to the edge of a cliff, attributing his demise to a random accident, and utters his final words to the indifferent wilderness: "Poor Grendel's had an accident." The novel closes on an ambiguous note with the words "So may you all," leaving readers to ponder whether it is a curse or a statement of universal fate as Grendel succumbs to death.

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