Examples Of Existentialism In Grendel By John Garner

The novel Grendel by John Garner portrays Grendel’s unheard-of perspective in the story of Beowulf. As a young child, Grendel finds himself wandering out of his cave to incidentally become confronted by a bull. The bull charge at Grendel while he is stuck in a tree and rips at his leg. Grendel then realizes that the world around him is not what he perceived. In fact it’s quite opposite; the world is a cruel and violent place. “Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out who and what they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook” (Clifton). Grendel’s

The bull thrashes his horns into Grendel. He’s screaming for his mother, but she becomes absent in his need of salvation. A woman wrote a passage in an article saying, “Then a bull charges at Grendel, which is symbolic of how Grendel is in the outside world where he is unprotected. Grendel learns that the world is violent after this incident. The human world is a cruel place, and Grendel knows that he has to be independent.” (Laura). Since his mother didn’t come to rescue him from the bull. He feels the sense of disconnection towards her; having no connection to anyone promotes his philosophy of being all by himself. He decides to start dodging the bull’s horns, and finds himself concluding that the bull is a mindless beast. According to an article, “…the bull charges at him, ripping his leg up to his knee with its horn. The savage behavior of this bull brings Grendel to the conclusion that he is more intelligent than the bull and many of the animals he coexists with.” (Atayero). He comes to an idea of existentialism; he concludes after this experience, he is the only one who exists in this world. In an article passage, “Meeting the bull affects Grendel’s view of the world he inhabits greatly and brings him a step closer to acquiring self-knowledge.”(Atayero). After the bull incident, he is exposed to the other beings than himself; oblivious to who they are. This is his first contact with

He thrashes his way into the building to start eating the humans. Grendel overheard the Thanes and Geats talking about the mission to kill him. Beowulf claims he is this powerful human being who has destroyed sea monsters. Written in an article, “Grendel ponders whether he is afraid of this stranger. He senses something different about him, something that only becomes slightly clearer as he observes the stranger in Hogarth’s mead hall.” (Gordon and Wang). Grendel’s feeling a sense of intimidation. However, Grendel views himself as being undefeatable; he doesn’t believe Beowulf can hurt him. An analysis says, “Grendel’s existentialism is a violent one, which allows him to succumb to the urges that have boiled in his heart from the first moment humans mistreated him.” (Gordon and Wang). He knows Beowulf wants to kill him. He takes Beowulf’s threat to heart, and tries to sneak into the Meadhall while they are sleeping. Beowulf tricks Grendel, and the battle of the two begins. Grendel slips on blood; claiming it was an accident for Beowulf to get the upper hand on him. In their fight, Beowulf rips off Grendel’s arm, leaving him to run out into the wilderness. As Grendel is bleeding to death, the animals around him are watching him die. His last words, “Poor Grendel’s had an accident. . . . So may you all.” (Garner 174). Some argue he is saying this to the reader. Although, I believe he wishes it on the animals around