Examples Of Existentialism In Grendel

“In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity”. This quote by Erik Erikson gives definition to many, for most the struggle to find themselves is evident. Identity, something that is taken for granted, abused, and withheld from the grasping reach of life. This theme is present within countless compositions of literature. One particular work, Grendel, has a strong representation of life philosophy and the acquisition of the meaning of life. The main character, the descendent of Cain and castaway of society, knows of more strife than the average person and thus forces him to see the world from an existentialist point of view. This point of view forces Grendel to react unbiased

when faced with different situations, so each chapter represents one of the twelve zodiac signs for which Grendel’s personality, judgement is based. The signs expressed as Aries, the ram; Taurus, the bull; Gemini, the twins; Cancer, the crab; Leo, the lion; Virgo, the virgin; Libra, the balance; Scorpio, the scorpion; Sagittarius, the centaur; Capricorn, the goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; and Pisces, the fish. Each zodiac symbolizes certain traits and personality qualities which in turn affect decision making and how situations are dealt with. Regarding this, existentialism has the prerequisite of lack of patterns when passing judgement and having a new face for every event that is encountered. Grendel wears these new faces like masks within each chapter transitioning from one to the next. These masks are but covers on the premise that Grendel uses them as substitutes while he figures out what his identity is.
Correlating to the previous statements, the beginning chapter in the novel begins with the first zodiac symbol, the ram: “ The old ram stands looking down over rockslides”(pg.

5). The ram displays Grendel feeling helpless and stuck in a repetitive state. He craves independence and wants to lead his own destiny but is held back, “And so begins the twelfth year of my idiotic war”(pg. 5). He fights this war against his origins and his existence. Aries is captivated by characteristics of stress related to attaining satisfaction and self assurance. Grendel displays similar traits throughout the chapter. Such as when he shouts at the sky and when he is with his mother , “ I feel my anger coming back, building up like invisible fire”(pg. 9). He struggles with coming to terms with himself and doesn’t see what he wants, needs to be. He has the insight to recognize the state of neutrality he is in, “So it goes with me day by day and age by age, I tell myself. Locked in the progression of moon and stars”(pg. 8). He comes to the realization that he is stuck in this pattern. That every year is replicated by the previous one before it. He talks about his raids on Hrothgar’s hall and the number of times they have repeatedly rebuilt the door because of his destruction of

them.
Granting this, the scene suddenly changes to Grendel’s youth within the second chapter.

Depicted is his first emergence from the cave and the dreamlike state he is in when venturing out into the wilderness, “I lived those years, as do all young things, in a spell”(pg. 16). This childish state he is in brings out complacency and apathy in addition to building his self image and relies heavily on feelings and tends to be more sensitive. Grendel endures several situations where he feel hurt, endangered and calls for his mother to help and assist him but no help comes. Being forced to find his own way causes Grendel to generate some understanding of worldly views, “I understood that the world was nothing: a mechanical chaos, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears. I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist”(pg. 22). This epiphany is brought on by the second zodiac Taurus represented by the bull who comes to protect the calf Grendel is hunting. Taurus and Grendel are related on the basis of feeling and self security, faith. Again the feeling of self centeredness and reliance is exemplified when Grendel confronts men for the first time. Exception is that his mother does come to his aid on this occasion and when it slides over to the cave his thoughts come to fruition , “ ...the meaningless objectness of the world….the world is a pointless accident...I exist nothing else” (pg. 28). Like a Taurus he is decisive and resolute in regards to

the fact he is alone. He exemplifies a sense of being. Leans toward objectivity and a outside view looking in is how Grendel can be described at this point.
In addition, jumping to chapter four when Grendel begins to feel belonging and how he should be. He comes into close contact with the shaper and his stories. His attempts to integrate with human society is a failure making him moody and unsettled. This closely resembles Cancer depicted by the crab which shows up only briefly within the chapter, “I backed away crablike, further into darkness-like a crab retreating in pain”(pg. 48). He perceives a very different viewpoint than from previous caricatures. The shaper takes the form of a higher power molding and melding things into a new existence and Grendel is having difficulty fitting into the puzzle, “He takes what he finds,” I said stubbornly, trying again. “And by changing men’s minds he makes the best of it” (pg. 49). Witnessed is the shapers bending of reality into his favor leaving Grendel in the sideline. But he also gave Grendel a role to play and a new mask to wear. One depicting the part of the villain, the cursed creature cast aside like waste, saying that he was to be the dark side and Hrothgar the good. Grendel was to be the beast heroes go out to slay for honor. The shaper’s tales brings out more attributes to Grendel’s mask ones of susceptibility and sympathy, “Two night later I went back. I was addicted. The Shaper was singing the glorious deeds of the dead men, praising war. He sang how they’d fought me. It was all lies”(pg. 54). His willingness to be this woven identity is shown again here, “It came to me with a fierce jolt that I wanted it. As they did too, though vicious animals”(pg. 55).
Given each piece of evidence, it is clear the transition Grendel take’s from each preceding chapter when the novel. It is distinctly shown how each zodiac and the personalities tied with each symbol play into the building blocks that make up Grendel as a character. Each zodiac outlines the struggle with coming to terms with existence and attempts at discovering self identity. From beginning in recognition of patterns to the pathway through finding a momentary grip on the feeling he strides to grasp to the end with the “accident” and Grendel’s failure to see the past situation following the existential path to his death. Though discovery of self identity is not something Grendel attains his attempt are clear and strained. He stands with his objectivity admirably and without fail. He remains a strong representation of life philosophy and the journey to unearth oneself. An example to be wary of and a lesson learned.