John Gardner's Grendel: Good Or Evil?

Who determines what is right or wrong? Who determines what is evil and what is not? In John Gardner’s Grendel, the main character wonders if he is truly evil and the purpose for his existence. He starts as a poor, lonely creature, but after an encounter with a dragon, his mindset changes. He experiments with different philosophies in order to define his existence. Consequently, he becomes an intolerably evil creature that shows no remorse for his actions. He intentionally deceives the Danish people, disrespects others, and kills for sport. Grendel is evil according to the Old and New Testament teachings of the Bible. The first time that Grendel displayed truly evil characteristics was when he viciously murdered a guard. “As if casually,
“...I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist,” (Gardner 22). This line means that Grendel did not believe in a higher power watching over him. He believed that he alone existed, so he was his own god. He later returned to this mindset when describing why he was able to relentlessly torture Hrothgar and the Danes, “I made him what he is. Have I not a right to test my own creation,” (Gardner 123). This quote makes Grendel sound as if he personally created Hrothgar. The Bible says that God created man. So once again, Grendel seemed to think that he was a god. The Bible teaches that the only god that one needs is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “You shall have no other gods before me,” (Exodus 20:3). That is one of the ten commandments that Jesus gave to his disciples. By claiming that he is his own god, Grendel broke that commandment. Again, Grendel fell short of obeying the teachings of the
The Bible says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him,” (John 3:36). This means that God will, in the end, show wrath to those that choose not to believe on him. Another example of this is, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,” (Romans 1:18). This means that God does not necessarily have wrath upon those that do not believe on him, but has wrath upon the sin and unrighteousness shown by that person. Grendel, at the end of the book, was finally defeated. Beowulf ripped his arm off and Grendel was faced with the option of suicide. He says, “ Poor Grendel’s had an accident... so may you all,” (Gardner 174). It is implied that he then jumped off the cliff, committing suicide. One might say that his death was God putting wrath upon the sin that Grendel committed. Because Grendel felt the wrath of God, I believe that he was truly evil. Grendel, for years, tortured civilization and committed countless sins. The sins that he committed were direct violations of the laws taught by Jesus and his disciples in the Bible, both Old and New Testament. Grendel eventually felt the wrath of God for his sinning without repentance. Had Grendel repented, God would have forgiven him of his evil ways. However, Grendel felt no