GRENDEL

John Gardner

Terms to know

Solipsism- The claim for unique existence- The theory that the self is the only

thing that can be known and verified.

A weak defense Universe functions independently

Gardner explores this philosophy through Grendel.

“I alone exist…I create the whole universe, blink by blink.”

“The world is all pointless accident…I exist, nothing else.”

Existentialism

States that existence precedes essence. This means that people are not defined by

inherent qualities, but are instead defined by what they do. People are free to create their own meaning in life.

There is no meaning except what people create for themselves.

The philosophy embraces the idea that humans exist with individuality, with some distance between them and an indifferent, uncaring universe. Everything else (including monsters) simply exists without the freedom of choice, all part of a mechanical universe.

Grendel realizes that he is simply one of the universe’s mechanical elements, a part of universal clutter.

Empiricism The theory asserting that knowledge

arises from sensory experience. When the empiricist begins questioning the existence of objects outside themselves, he begins thinking like a solipsist, who denies objects outside of themselves real existence.

Nihilism(Easier definition next slide)

Defined as an extreme form of skepticism denying the possibility of an objective basis for truth; in fact, a denial of all real existence. If all real existence is denied, then existence is meaningless. Nihilism shows itself in a total rejection of established laws and institutions.

In other words

Nihilism-The belief that nothing has meaning; that life is a long series of accidents and is in itself an accident

Why? It does not matter anyway.(complete answer)

Plato’s parable of the cave

In “The Republic”, Plato tells of a group of prisoners who have lived their entire lives in a cave, chained up and facing a wall. There is a fire behind the prisoners, and as things move around in front of this fire, shadows are cast onto the wall. The shadows are all the prisoners know of reality.

When a prisoner is freed, that prisoner leaves the cave and discovers that the shadows on the wall are not reality; the prisoner can now see the true forms of reality rather than the shadows of reality the other prisoners see. Tr

Beowulf’s Philosophy Regeneration and Purity The meaning of life is in its living Justification of truth is in truth Reason for beauty is beauty

Descriptions of theCharacters

(on your own time if you need the assistance)

The Characters Grendel--intelligent,

sensitive, immature monster. He’s curious, seeks answers; becomes cynical, hollow brutal creature

The dragon-A bitter, omniscient old beast. He can see all of time. His life is pointless. He steals and protects huge amounts of gold. Nothing has meaning for him. He resents the universe.

Beowulf--Leader of the Geats. He is fearless, supernaturally strong and confident. He represents the natural reflex against chaos and emptiness. He is the ultimate hero, the ultimate answer.

The Shaper--Hrothgar’s chosen harper, a blind and fragile old man. The shaper is gifted and his music inspires the thanes. Grendel is excluded, so he grows to both hate and adore the old man.

Hrothgar--Leader of the Danes. In youth, he was ambitious and clever. He brought order to the land. He created a great kingdom. Representing all mankind, he’s the focus of Grendel’s rage.

Wealtheow--The queen, beautiful, sad, and young. She was given to Hrothgar and he thinks her beauty is wasted on him, an old man. She is one of Grendel’s ties to humankind. He both loves and hates her.

Unferth--A half-hero. He attempts to kill Grendel but fails. Grendel will not kill Unferth, and amuses himself by denying him martyrdom. When the other thanes scorn him, Unferth loses self-respect.

Hrothulf--Hrothgar’s nephew, a young, sullen man of great ambition. He seeks the crown, and knows the only way to through revolution. His words and ideas are ahead of his time. He is a socialist.

Red Horse--Hrothulf’s counselor. He is an old bitter peasant who preaches violence for violence’ sake. He believes all political systems are evil. He is an anarchist. He,too, seems out of place.