Grendel Flashcards
Grendel chapter one - Aries (spring/ram)
represents a new beginning
Grendel’s solitary existence is emphasized, and he is portrayed as an outsider looking at how the people in Hrothgar’s kingdom
observes a ram standing stubbornly on a cliff and is frustrated by the mindless nature of the creature
Grendel Chapter 2 - Taurus (spring/bull)
Grendel reflects on his early childhood experiences exploration of the human world, which he sees as violent and cruel. Grendel encounters a dragon, which introduces him to nihilistic perspectives. he dragon is an ancient, wise, and cynical creature who lives in a vast, treasure-filled lair. During their conversation, the dragon imparts a nihilistic worldview to Grendel, arguing that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that humans are driven by their primitive instincts and ignorance. The dragon’s philosophy deeply affects Grendel, causing him to adopt a more detached and antagonistic attitude toward the humans he observes.
The dragon also grants Grendel a form of invulnerability, which makes him even more confident in his role as a force of chaos and destruction in the human world. This interaction significantly shapes Grendel’s character and his approach to his conflict with the humans.
the Dragon’s perspective
believes in nihilism and that nothing has a meaning
absurdism - the universe essentially has no meaning and human existence has no inherit purpose. Despite this, humans still search for meaning, which is “absurd”
everything is accidental
the idea of “blind prejudice” in Grendel
a deer ran away from Grendel even though he had never killed a deer before in his life
chapter 3 - Gemini (spring/early summer/twins)
observes humans building up society and begins to attack Hrothgar’s hall (Herot)
curiosity - initial attacks are driven by desire to understand them better
anger - he views humans as destructive and mindless, much like the bull
Grendel attacks Herot after Hrothgar has grown old because he feels it is his purpose
Grendel watched a war that had begun
Grendel interaction with the Bull in chapter 2 + significance
Grendel finds himself helpless while trapped in a tree. A bull, acting out of instinct, charges at Grendel
strengthens his sense of alienation because he realizes he is different than other creatures he encounters because of his ability to think and reason, not just act mindlessly on instinct or “mechanically”
Grendel was able to avoid being attacked by twisting his body to avoid the bull’s attack, but the bull kept mindlessly attacking
Grendel’s Perspective
struggles to find his meaning in the world because he feels alienated from both “mechanic” animals and humans
attacks Herot as a way to establish purpose
questions whether his actions have any real significance
the Dragon provides Grendel with a nihilistic world view
perceives the world as chaotic and mechanical and lacking real purpose
observes humans’ attempts to find meaning through their actions and theories, often seeing them as futile due to the chaotic state of the world
existentialism
existence comes before meaning
Chapter 4 Grendel (Cancer/crab/summer)
focuses on Grendel’s fascination with the Shaper
the Shaper is meant to inspire Hrothgar’s people and idealizes history and events
the Shaper’s songs torment Grendel, as the present a world that contrasts significantly with Grendel’s observations and views
The Shaper’s stories glorify the human civilization and depict Grendel as a monstrous outsider. These stories have a profound impact on Grendel, causing him to question his own nature and his role in the world. He is torn between his desire to be a part of the human world and his realization that he can never truly belong.
the crab is mentioned as Grendel watches a crab scuttling on the sea floor. This imagery serves as a metaphor for Grendel’s own feelings of isolation and aimlessness. The crab, with its hard outer shell, mirrors Grendel’s own emotional barriers and his sense of being trapped in a hostile world. Just as the crab moves seemingly without purpose, Grendel struggles with finding direction and meaning in his own existence.
what does summer represent
prime/peak
Significance of the Shaper
Art and Storytelling: The Shaper embodies the power of art and storytelling. His songs create a compelling, idealized version of history and human civilization, offering a sense of purpose, order, and meaning to the people of Hrothgar’s hall. This contrasts sharply with Grendel’s chaotic and cynical view of the world.
Influence on Grendel: The Shaper’s songs have a profound impact on Grendel. They both captivate and torment him, as they present a vision of the world that Grendel longs to be a part of but knows he can never truly belong to. This internal conflict intensifies Grendel’s existential crisis and drives much of his actions throughout the novel.
Symbol of Human Creativity: The Shaper represents the creativity, ingenuity, and resilience of humans. Through his art, he gives meaning and coherence to the otherwise brutal and chaotic world. This human capacity for creation and imagination stands in stark contrast to Grendel’s destructive nature.
Moral and Ethical Questions: The Shaper raises questions about the nature of truth and the ethical implications of storytelling. While his stories inspire and unite the humans, they also gloss over the harsh realities and complexities of their actions. This dichotomy challenges Grendel to reconsider his own perceptions of good and evil.
Reflection of Ideals: The Shaper’s vision of the world reflects the ideals and values that humans strive for, such as heroism, honor, and justice. Grendel’s interactions with the Shaper force him to confront these ideals and question his own place in the moral landscape.
chapter 6 Grendel (virgo/the virgin)
Grendel is made immune to human weapon and began going to the mead hall more frequently because his confidence increases
he still feels alienated even though he is physically invulnerable
