Grendel Character

Grendel

In the classic Beowulf, Grendel is only mentioned as a brute monster who is slayed by the eponymous hero. As one can indeed infer from the title, Gardner’s work gives Grendel’s life and his point of view a more detailed treatment. More specifically, Grendel becomes the antihero in Gardner’s version. We are consequently made privy to Grendel’s pathos, dilemmas, and his inner life. We trace his journey from the moment he meets the Shaper. Grendel leads a long life, and readers also learn of his feelings about the townsfolk.

A particularly pivotal moment involves the Shaper convincing Grendel to try and leave his “dark side” behind to live peacefully among humans. When Grendel tries, however, he is misunderstood and chased back by the townsfolk. Through Grendel’s varied experiences, readers are also introduced to various schools of philosophical thought. As the narrator, Grendel is able to enjoy the reader’s sympathy, especially when he contemplates suicide while standing at the edge of a cliff toward the end of the novel.

Hrothgar

In Beowulf, Hrothgar, the Danish king, is portrayed as a just man. In Grendel, however, we see Hrothgar as a king keen to usurp power whenever possible; we also get an account of his idiosyncrasies. Hrothgar throws an axe at a trapped Grendel, and this marks the beginning of their feud, one that persists almost throughout the novel. Hrothgar’s success as a ruler is based on his understanding of the importance of compromise and peace. He is keen to avoid conflicts and warfare; he prefers to form allies instead. However, toward the end of his rule, he considers different schools of political philosophy, which unsettles his otherwise steady approach to kingship.

The Shaper

The multifaceted Shaper visits Hrothgar’s court in the hope of becoming an entertainer. The Shaper is a weaver of tales—a storyteller, poet, musician, and artist extraordinaire. The Shaper’s power, as his name suggests, is to shape the history of the real world such that the shaped version appears more significant and comforting than the original. Though the Shaper is blind, he can play with “truth” and create captivating tales for his audience. Grendel, who is aware of the extent of bloodshed in Danish history, still finds himself drawn to the Shaper’s imagined and comforting version. The Shaper, is a symbol of how art can furnish reality with morality.

The Dragon

The dragon is the embodiment of nihilist philosophy. Grendel is often torn between embracing the omniscient dragon’s message that nothing actually matters and the Shaper’s ability to create meaning. The dragon, who, notably, is the guardian of great wealth and treasure hidden in a large cave, is of the opinion that all things are meaningless. Solipsistic and nihilistic, the dragon casts a spell over Grendel, which then allows Grendel to defeat heavily armed men as well.

Beowulf

In Grendel, the eponymous hero of Beowulf is described as “grotesquely muscular.” He is also Grendel’s powerful enemy. Beowulf is presented as an almost insurmountable hurdle for Grendel. In fact, Grendel’s efforts to defeat Beowulf tend to put the former in harm’s way. In his battles with Beowulf, Grendel senses that Beowulf is able to emotionally distance himself from the demands of combat. Beowulf’s arrival on the shores of Denmark is prophesied by an old woman and by the Shaper. In fact, the Shaper had prophesized this just before his own death.

Beowulf dismembers Grendel and lets him bleed. In Grendel’s final moments, Beowulf tells him that Grendel represents the world’s great evils, whereas he, the Shaper, Unferth, and Wealtheow have acted in good spirit and in the interest of the common good.

Unferth

Unferth is the bravest Thane in the Royal Court. Early in the novel, he comes across as a firm believer in the moral value of his culture. Thanes are known for their fierce loyalty to their king and are accordingly given the duty of protecting them at all times. In an incident exemplary of this loyalty, Unferth requests the chance to battle Grendel when mocked by the latter. He does not mind losing; in fact, he considers it an honor to die a hero in battle. The request, however, is not granted, and Grendel continues to mock him. Unferth grows disillusioned with life. It is later revealed that Unferth has a bloody past of having murdered his brothers. This fact is used by Beowulf later in the novel to put Unferth in his place.

Grendel’s Mother

Grendel’s mother represents a limited, animalistic mode of being. Her expressions are limited to body language and primal, guttural noises. She represents ignorance and also serves as a marker against which Grendel’s proficiency of human language can be compared. Nonetheless, she is nurturing and comforting as a mother. Notably, she sees Grendel as the purpose of her life.

Hygmod

King Hygmod is a threat to Hrothgar’s throne and rules over the neighboring fiefdom. In what is intended as a show of strength, he raises a chained bear. Hrothgar marries Hygmod’s sister, Wealthow, and this turns out to be a wise political transaction for both kings.

Wealtheow

Wealtheow is Hygmod’s sister, who stops her brother from going to war with Hrothgar by marrying the latter. As Hrothgar’s Queen, she spreads peace wherever she goes. She comes across as a nurturing person.

Hrothulf

Hrothulf is an orphan and Hrothgar’s cousin. He is a firebrand who’s smitten by the idea of revolution after witnessing the deplorable reality of the peasants in the countryside. However, he is not seduced by the idea of violent revolution, much to the disappointment of his anarchist mentor, Red Horse. He remains kind and loving to Hrothgar’s children even though they are the likely successors to Hrothgar’s throne.

Red Horse

Red Horse is Hrothulf’s advisor and a mouthpiece for the anarchist principles of the thinker Georges Sorel. Red Horse seems to espouse violence as both the means and end of revolution. He is an embittered, old peasant. He does not completely convince Hrothulf of what he sees as the value of violence.

Ork

Ork symbolizes faith and the faithful. Described as the oldest of the kingdom’s priests, he believes that when the world ends, everything comes together and nothing is left behind. His spectacular speeches and belief in his own philosophical standings puzzle Grendel. As a result, Grendel, who’d initially planned to kill Ork, finds himself in two minds.

The Fourth Priest

Unlike the other younger priests, the fourth priest does not make fun of Ork. He is in fact impressed and overwhelmed by Ork’s answers to Grendel’s questions. Like Grendel, the priest is also moved by Ork’s poetry and poignancy. In fact, the priest’s faith is rekindled by Ork’s philosophy.