Journal 11: Grendel's Philosophical Journal

 Throughout the story of Grendel, connections are made to the twelve astrological zodiac signs. Each of these signs relates to Grendel’s philosophical development throughout his life. Throughout the novel, Grendel is influenced by a wide range of people, from his mother and her hollow stare to Unferth and his boasts of heroism. The dragon especially influences Grendel’s nihilistic beliefs. Gardner uses the signs of the zodiac to represent not only Grendel’s philosophical beliefs, but also to outline his story and emphasize the connections between Grendel’s personality and the philosophies he encounters throughout his life.

 Chapter 1 of Grendel is set in the month of April, which corresponds to the zodiac sign Aries, the ram. At the beginning of the novel, it opens with Grendel howling and throwing stones at a stubborn ram who stands motionless at the edge of a cliff. This angers Grendel as the ram refuses to acknowledge Grendel’s existence. In addition, he is furthered angered that the warm weather will awaken the animal’s sexual urges.  This is a reminder to him that April is the beginning of a new cycle and the ending of the last. Grendel presents the theory in this chapter that the world is an endless cycle of repetition.

Chapter two of Grendel represents the astrological sign of Taurus, the bull. At the beginning of the chapter, he ventures back into his childhood. One day, when he leaves his cave, he gets trapped in a tree and yells for his mother to save him. This is when embraces the philosophy of loneliness as he calls for his mother, yet she doesn’t come. He states “that the world was nothing: a mechanical chaos of casual, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears. I understood that I alone exist…I create the universe blink by blink" (Gardner, 16). Also, when the men arrive at the tree that Grendel is stuck in, they judge and torture him; here he repeats, “The world is all pointless accident…I exist, nothing else" (Gardner, 22). At the end of the chapter, it is obvious that Grendel is now a solipsist, believing that he is alone in the world.

Chapter three of Grendel represents the astrological sign Gemini, the twins. In this chapter, Grendel meets the Shaper who challenges his world of solipsism. This highly respected, influential story teller gives the village history and optimism. Characters that represent Gemini, like the Shaper and Sophists, are versatile and superficial; they remake the world they way they wanted other people to see it. The Sharper does the aspect well as he tells untruthful stories, though fooling people with his smooth, vivid talk.

Chapter four of Grendel alludes to the astrological sign Cancer, the crab. Here is where the story alludes to the Old Testaments of the Bible as Grendel is presumed to be a descendent of Cain, the first murderer.  However, Grendel is unwilling to reject that God is the creator of everything in the world that he lives in— but he also could not help but to be intrigued by the notion and believe in the Sharper’s words.  Here, Grendel has found his purpose in life, as he only wants to be accepted in society in some way, even if it means being the enemy.

The next chapter of Grendel, chapter five, alludes to the astrological sign Leo, the lion. The philosophy in this chapter idealizes the idea that all things are connected. Confused about his place in the world, he goes to the dragon but meets a metaphysician who explains that all things have their own place in the world. Gardner explains that the dragon is a nihilist, one who rejects all beliefs and religions. Under the influence of the dragon, he lives under the philosophy that it is merely unrealistic to make a distinction between people, and that doing eventually leads to nothing.

Chapter six of Grendel alludes to the astrological sign Virgo. In this chapter, Grendel comes to the realization that he is not the only being that exists. However, Grendel claims that all the humans are his enemies, and that the simple-minded mechanical beasts serve no purpose. By this point, Grendel has become content with his place in society: being the enemy of the humans. He’s content with being regarded as simply the “descendent of Cain” that comes at night to kill.

In chapter seven, he realizes that being the descendent of Cain, he was predestined to the evil person he accepted in chapter six. However, Wealtheow, the queen of the Danes, exposes him to Christianity. Through this, his experiences a world unknown, a world full of Christian values. Wealtheow, a "holy servant of the common good" (Gardner, 86) is a kind woman who brings peace to the village. She can be looked upon as the balance of the village that keeps peace and exposes Grendel to Christian ideals. The balance that Wealtheow brings is reminiscent of the chapter’s zodiac sign: Libra, the scales.

Chapter eight alludes to astrological sign Scorpio, the scorpion. In this chapter, the character Hrothulf is introduced as his parents have passed away and he was sent to live with his uncle, Hrothgar. Hrothulf discusses his plans of revolution with his mentor, Red Horse. His mentor believes that all government is essentially evil, while Hrothulf focuses more on the socioeconomic differences between the upper and lower classes.

The last four chapters— nine, ten, eleven, and twelve— allude to the astrological signs Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, respectively. At the start of these four chapters, readers see the hierarchy and significance of the elderly priest. However, in the following chapter, chapter ten, the philosophy of nihilism is embraced, once again showing the belief that the world is alone. This is reinforced when the Shaper passes away, leaving the people to mold reality for themselves. The idea that the world is filled with accidents is prevalent in Aquarius’ chapter, chapter eleven. Through this belief, men create their own values and meanings, but in the end they have no value. The final chapter, twelve, represents Pisces, the fish. Here the reader can see Grendel fully embodying empiricism, the belief that only objects of experience are real, which is taught by Beowulf in Grendel’s final hours.

Throughout Grendel’s journey through various philosophies, Grendel begins to develop his own set of beliefs. Grendel believes that nothing exists but him, and that there is no meaning or value in the world. In the end, Grendel decides to stop following the philosophies and predetermined paths of others and live by his own empirical and nihilistic beliefs. But, in the end, Grendel maintains his status as a monster, proclaiming “Grendel’s had an accident… so may you all.” His experiences with humans, language, and philosophy ultimately have Grendel damning the society that cursed his own existence. The world rejects Grendel, and ultimately Grendel rejects the world, damning the existences that had once damned him.