Journal 11: Grendel's Philosophies

Journal 11: Grendel’s Philosophies

                In Gardner’s Grendel, Grendel becomes the perfect character to judge the centuries of philosophies that develop within the novel. The fact that Grendel is a monster and is not human means that he has no affiliation with one philosophy or the other.  Throughout the novel, Grendel is searching for what he believes in and the best way to live in the world. As a result, Grendel goes through several different philosophies. The different philosophies in the novel are presented in a variety of ways. Some are lived out by Grendel for a time or are exposed and developed in other characters. Each chapter and its affiliated astrological sign give clues to the philosophies that are being developed. Grendel’s actions and observations that are exposed in the novel allow the reader to see the history of philosophies develop.

                The first chapter in which the reader can see the introduction of a philosophy is chapter two. In this chapter, whose astrological symbol is the Taurus or Bull, Grendel describes a flashback to his youth. He speaks of his initial journey into the world and his first encounter with man. Grendel eventually speaks of when he got his foot stuck between two oaks and was attacked by the bull. The bull in the story represents the astrological symbol of the chapter, Taurus. According to Alan Leo, those who are Taurus believe in the “objective and concrete” and base their action on “extreme materialist thought.” The description of Taurus in combination with Grendel’s own realization that “The world is all pointless accident…I exist, nothing else,” helps the philosophy of solipsism come into view. Solipsism denies everything in the world except for the solipsist himself. In this case, solipsism is the philosophy that best fits with the ideals of Taurus and is clearly indicated in the words of Grendel.

In the coming chapters, Grendel’s solipsism is challenged by the words of the Shaper. The Shaper brings a reality to Grendel’s world. He creates religion, history, and brings order to the so called “pointless accident” as Grendel described the world. In fact, the Shaper is so influential that Grendel himself begins to believe the Shaper’s stories and is so compelled as to accept the Shaper’s view although it characterizes Grendel as the evil in the world. The next significant philosophy that is introduced is nihilism in chapter five. In chapter five, Grendel goes to visit the Dragon in the hope of discovering his role in the new world that the Shaper has created. This chapter is the chapter of the Leo, the dramatizer, which gives hint at the dramatic difference in philosophies that the dragon creates. The Dragon and his advice are extremely characteristic of a nihilist, and as a result, push Grendel from existentialism to the more extreme nihilism. Grendel no longer just believes that no God exists in the world but now believes that all existence is useless. The Dragon explains that the world has no inherent meaning or value. For example, when the dragon describes importance he says that it is “limited to a finite occasion, importance ceases to be important.” Eventually the words of the dragon stop Grendel from believing the ideas of the shaper.

In chapter six Grendel is reborn to become a sceptic who looks at and doubts everything with moral fevor. In this chapter Grendel finds his place in the order as the destroyer of all hypocritical orders created by men. He acknowledges the existence of others but classifies them as enemies. This chapter which is the chapter of the harvest virgin hints at the rebirth of Grendel and his beliefs. Next, is chapter seven in which Grendel’s scepticism is put up against faith. This chapter is the chapter of Libra or conciliators. Wealtheow is this symbol of a conciliator; she brings harmony to the situation. The order and purpose that Wealtheow stands for and believes in provides a stark contrast to the chaos and futility that Grendel believes in.

 The next philosophy that Grendel embodies is Nietzchean philosophy in chapter 10. This chapter which is the chapter of Capricorn, who are supposed to be pessimistic, shows the sudden downfall of Grendel’s belief in religion and the stories the Shaper has created. As the shaper dies the stories go with him, and as a result, he feels that”we’re on our own again. Abandoned.”The shaper had created the world and without him Grendel feels despair and comes to a conclusion of emptiness in the world. Overall, Grendel’s despair and conclusions are what make Nietzchean philosophy evident in this chapter.  Finally, Grendel’s philosophical journey comes to a culmination in chapter 12, the chapter of Pisces and the end of the astrological cycle. This in a way marks Grendel return to his original philosophy. Grendel is forced into empiricism by Beowulf as Beowulf forces Grendel to sing of the wall. Grendel can no longer say that he and he along exists in the world. He comes to an understanding after he has given up his old philosophy that all knowledge, truth, and art come from contact with reality. By having his head smashed against the wall, Grendel realizes that he does not merely imagine the things around him. Empiricism is considered to be closely related to solipsism with the biggest difference being that in empiricism the existence of objects are accepted while solipsism denies objects concrete existences.

In the end, Grendel has experienced and developed many different philosophies throughout the story. As Grendel searches for his true purpose he inevitably goes through the different philosophies and changes as new circumstances arise. Each chapter and its astrological sign help to hint at the philosophies that were showcased. The combination of events, characters, and motives all contribute to the development of Grendel and his beliefs. Influences from the shaper, the dragon, and others all push Grendel to his next philosophy. In the end, Beowulf has the final say in what Grendel’s ultimate philosophy will be. Grendel’s encounter with Beowulf forces Grendel into empiricism which is the Grendel’s final philosophy. In conclusion, the events and people that Grendel deal with throughout the novel help him to move through the history of philosophies and come to his final philosophy of empiricism.