Is Grendel the Victim? “But they were doomed, I knew it, and I was glad. No denying it. Let them wander the fogroads of Hell” (Gardner 53). Grendel’s pessimistic view grew from the betrayal he felt from the humans, for all he desired was to communicate with others. In Grendel by John Gardner, there are many influential factors that change Grendel’s outlook on “his” universe. One of the most prominent ones were the Shaper and the Dragon. These creatures changed Grendel’s views, which, in turn, led him to commit the odious crimes that he did. Grendel, influenced by the forces around him into becoming who he was: a dynamic character. At the beginning of the novel Grendel observes Hrothgar’s kingdom, until one day a blind old man enters Hrothgar’s kingdom. The man begins to play music and sing, silencing all those around him. This blind old man is only identified as the Shaper by …show more content…
He changes after he is attacked by the humans, and for the second time when he sinks into the dragon’s lair. He went from being an envious creature who wanted peace to the opposite, illustrating the satire in this novel. Grendel also clearly evolves as the story continues. In the beginning Grendel finds himself to be alone and curious of the outside world. He eventually begins to believe that everything revolves around him, and that there is nothing more powerful than he. But as the story evolves, so does he, realizing that he is not the most powerful and changing his views. Grendel evolves and expands his knowledge until he is attacked after loudly proclaiming peace. But Grendel also devolves when his nihilistic point of view is adopted from the dragon, shaping him into a malevolent creature After this incident Grendel develops a much darker sentiment, which is furthered as his life continues. He then starts the twelve year war, where in his psychopathic rage, he kills countless people. He shows no