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.