Gardner's "Grendel" and "Beowulf"

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the epic poem, "Beowulf" and John Gardner's "Grendel." It specifically focuses on the plots and central actions of the two stories- the battle between Beowulf and Grendel in order to save the kingdom of the Danes from Grendel. The paper discusses how the main difference between the texts is the perspective in which they are written.

From the Paper:

"In regards to the story of Grendel, as a monster consumed by hatred of the Danes, Grendel has clear reasons for this hatred, but the fact that he must take his hatred out by antagonizing them with devastation also results in his own demise by violent hands. As a monster, he is blindly systematically crippling and destroying the Danes as a people, but the only thing that can stop him will inevitably be a force outside the Danes who is strong enough to destroy him. Of course, this force is Beowulf. Strength can only be met by greater strength in battle, and a life of violence ends in death by violence; the cycle continues."

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