A hero is a person noted for their act of courage and nobility of a purpose. In the novel of Grendel by John Gardener, there is a hero but he is not who would think it is. The issue of who the true hero is illustrated through the conflict between Grendel and Unferth. Grendel is treated as a monster that killed villagers and considered embodiment of evil. Unferth goes after the “monster” in order to have his name live forever in history and, apparently, to save his people. While they both share the same primal instinct of survival, there are several major differences between them. Grendel is the hero of the story because he is proud, intelligent, and strong under fire.
He is the hero of the story because he is proud. After his encounter with the dragon, Grendel begins to see the world as a meaningless place. Despite this new outlook, he still has no intention of systematically terrifying the Danes. “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings! But also, as never before, I was alone.” (Grendel Pg.80) Grendel makes this miserable statement when he discovers the dragon's enchantment has left him invulnerable to harm from the Scylding’s weapons. He glories in his power, but realizes that his impervious hide now separates him even more from the world of mortal men. He’s proud because he can survive any attack, yet he’s sad because he has become even more different from the mortal men.
Grendel’s intelligence saved him from being killed by Unferth and his army. When Unferth attacked Grendel, he ran and hid in a tree. When they let him be, Grendel was knew not to go back to his cave because he they would be waiting for him there. “I was sure, going back to my cave (it was nearly dawn), that he wouldn't follow. They never did. But I was wrong; he was a new kind of Scylding.” (Grendel Pg. 86). Grendel knew they would be waiting for him at his cave, even if it meant staying there all night.
Grendel was strong throughout all the battles. But when he attacked the Herrot for the last time, something happened. The strongest man alive had gotten a hold of him; Beowulf. “The room goes suddenly white, as if struck by lightning. I stare down amazed. He has torn my arm at the shoulder!” (Grendel Pg. 172) Grendel was able to keep fighting back until he couldn’t.
Grendel was a hero because he was courageous to face not only the warriors, but Beowulf. Even though he did not win, he still showed pride, intelligence, and he stayed strong under fire.
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