Grendel and the Importance of Human Values :: Grendel Essays

Grendel and the Importance of Human Values In Grendel, by bum Gardner, there is considerable disquietude, but there are also moments of fun as well. The cause of these contrasting feelings is most often Grendel himself. As he changes from a enjoymentful and almost kind creature to a real cruel monster that scorns hope, we find ourselves feeling both pleased and dig at different times. In this element, though, lies a very much greater purpose than manifestly good literature - it helps the reader understand the importance of military man values. Pleasure in the book comes mainly in realizing how much Grendel acts give care a human, and how much more rational he is than one would confront for a cruel monster. After seeing the deer in the blood line of the novel, Grendel points out why he kills cows instead of deer they attain more meat and are easier to catch. Although its not necessarily a sweet thought, its somewhat comforting to know that Grendel appears to ki ll for the practical benefits (food) and not simply for the sake of putting to death. This is no worse than we might do. He seems especially human-like when he listens to the Shapers song. Crying, he says that he was filled with sorrow and tenderness (44) and that he was bust apart by poetry (44). Another moment of pleasure comes as he is talking to the dragon and expresses a sort of hope and purpose. In defending his resolve not to scare humans so much just for fun, Grendel says, Why shouldnt one change ones ways, improve ones character? (72). In all the dragons insistence that everything is worth nothing, Grendel refuses to believe him. He even says, Nevertheless, something volition come of all this (74). His hope makes the readers think all the better of him. correct if, at first, Grendel seems almost kind, and the reader is pleased with his character, he soon experiences more and more evil, and his actions bring about a feeling of uneasiness, to say the least. Before, the ki lling of people for no apparent reason disgusted Grendel. However, when he brings Unferth home, he kills the two guards so I wouldnt be misunderstood (90). Later, in in all probability the most disturbing scene of the book, we see how meaningless killing has become to Grendel. He brutally attacks the queen and is determined to kill her.