Grendel By John Gardner Essay -- essays research papers

Grendel lives in a dark and charnel underground cave with his mother and dozens of cold, unmoving creatures. He is very(prenominal) curious and, in his early years, finds a way to escape this puckish place and enter the world. Every night he wanders outside his cave, exploring the dry land around him. One night, he gets trapped in a tree. A band of human beings led by King Hrothgar approaches and, aft(prenominal) many hesitation, attacks Grendel. They close in for the kill, but Grendels mother arrives just in cadence to save him.Years after his encounter with Grendel, Hrothgars power and influence recrudesce until he rules an im custodyse territory. He builds a glorious meadhall, the greatest in the land, and names it Herot. He builds roads to connect his kingdom and hires an immensely bright Harper to play at special occasions. Grendel is fascinated by the Harpers harmony and tries to join the humans, but he is attacked by the frightened guards and must flee. sense of to uch lonely and rejected, he visits an ancient dragon that lives within the kingdom. The dragon speaks for almost time, and his wicked, tired cynicism infects Grendel. He puts a charm on the young monster, making him impervious to human blades. After this, Grendel becomes a creature of pure destruction. At the onset of each subsequent spring, Grendel carries out several raids on Hrothgars meadhall. He is very careful about this, leaving just enough men behind to rebuild and grow for the next spring.Several years after he builds his meadhall, Hrothgar ...