Examples Of Philosophies In Grendel

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The beliefs John Gardner expresses through Grendel in the novel Grendel, are quite the opposite of what he believes. Gardner despises legalistic rationalism and seeking ultimate truth, as the philosophies of existentialism and nihilism prescribe. In an interview with Esquire magazine in 1971, Gardner stated that human should not follow philosophies in Grendel. The subtleties of Grendel make it a humanistic work and Gardner a humanist himself. Being that Gardner’s intention was to have readers reject the philosophies that explain objective truth, he makes them so enticing. Although as true as the philosophies seem, Gardner wishes to depict their destructiveness through Grendel, but also have the reader become sympathetic to Grendel. Humanist …show more content…

Gardner wants to prove that Grendel’s attacks only contribute to his weakness. Gardner expresses to the reader that Grendel has no reason to kill, and his killing causes him existential angst. Grendel desperately asks the Dragon, “‘What God? Where? Life-force, you mean? The principle of process?’” (Gardner 74). Grendel’s level of confusion and anxiety is a state Gardner never wants to see mankind in. This leads to Gardner exalting the strength and wholesomeness of Western society. Gardner describes all of the Danes as peaceful, almost holy people; whom Grendel respects. Unferth represents the heroic ideal of bravery and heroism, and Grendel spares him “[he] picked him up gently and carried him home” (Gardner 90). Grendel also has reverence for women as he spares raping and torturing Wealtheow and actually admiring her beauty; “Her smooth long hair, Her face was gentle” (Gardner 100). Gardner honors the good men and women--Hrothgar and Wealtheow--who do well for all and are liked by all. The Danes additionally embrace heroic ideals and Western virtues like diligence, and respect; which Grendel fails to destroy in them. Towards the end of the novel, the goat climbing towards Grendel’s cave represents Hrothgar’s kingdom. The goat is as unrelenting as Hrothgar’s kingdom and people--not matter how hard Grendel tries; “He …show more content…

Humanists believe humans created the ills of society and they alone are able to remove them. Through this lens, the Danes created Grendel, as a manifestation of their own disbelief and misanthropy. And only society as a whole or a person can save society--in Grendel, that’s Beowulf. And under Grendel’s wrath, the Danes are powerless, and Grendel has the power of a god. Gardner wished to explicate the reality of a savior, as Beowulf, a Geat, kills Grendel. Gardner demonstrates his secular humanist, exalting Beowulf to the status of Jesus Christ; following the Nicene Creed: “He will come again to judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1). John Gardner supports the idea of religious dictums as a motivating factor for humans--which a secular humanist would

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