the stranger

Grendel- John Gardner

After ten long chapters of waiting in Grendel, BEOWULF ARRIVES! Or at least “the stranger” arrives…who is Beowulf. But this Beowulf is definitely completely different from the Beowulf found in Beowulf -- so different, in fact, that it begs the question, “Who is he really?” He clearly had some purpose in coming, but was it to hurt or help Grendel?

At times, it seemed very much as if Beowulf meant to harm Grendel, particularly as he seemed to fulfill the ‘prophecy’ of Grendel’s mother. “Beware the fish,” she said (or communicated in some way…maybe mother-son ESP). Following the zodiac signs that match up to the chapters of Grendel, Beowulf’s arrival coincides with Aquarius and Pisces, both aquatic zodiac signs. Not only that, but Beowulf also travels to the land of the Danes over water, and one of Grendel’s first observations about him is the fact that “he has no more beard than a fish” – a direct comparison with a fish. Following Grendel’s mother’s warning, it seems that Beowulf does present a harmful presence.

There are also, of course, the multiple connections between Beowulf and the dragon. Even before Grendel compares Beowulf to a fish, he notices that Beowulf’s eyes “slanted downward, never blinking, unfeeling as a snake’s.” This only the first of several comparisons Grendel makes between Beowulf and snakes, creatures that automatically bring to mind the similarly scaly, reptilian dragon. The dragon appears once again through Beowulf during his battle with Grendel. Grendel describes visions of “terrible fiery wings” sprouting out of Beowulf’s back while “flames slip out of the corners of his mouth” imagery that is impossible not to compare to the flying, fire-breathing dragon. Not only is the dragon as a whole connected to Beowulf, but during the battle it is the ‘fiery’ side of him that is brought out. Considering the destructive power of fire and the way in which the dragon used it to threaten Grendel when they first met, Beowulf’s association with this element hardly makes him look harmless. There are also the connotations of the dragon in general that Beowulf is associated with. The dragon was the one the reminded Grendel that his existence was pointless, the perfect candidate for someone that would squash Grendel into nothingness without a second thought. Once again, not exactly making Beowulf look like an angel.

Or is it?

In our discussions as a class, the idea came up that the wings that Beowulf sees sprouting from Beowulf are actually the wings of an angel, making a Beowulf a savior. After all, although fire can be seen as the dangerous weapon that the dragon wielded, it can also be seen as a saving force considering its power is so integral to the functioning of our society -- even more so in Grendel’s times. Moreover, Beowulf’s purpose did not seem to be to help the Danes as Grendel notices that Beowulf knows that Hrothgar’s kingdom is a “doomed house.” If Beowulf knows and accepts the fact that the people he’s working to save cannot be saved, it seems illogical that he is still trying to save them…unless he’s not actually trying to save them. This leads us to the conclusion that Beowulf may have arrived with a goal much more centered on Grendel’s needs, perhaps, even, to save him.

If this is the case, hopefully Beowulf’s goal was not to save Grendel’s physical body. If he was, then he failed miserably at his task considering he himself led to Grendel’s death. However, if his saving grace was meant for Grendel’s mind then it’s possible that he was more successful. After all, Beowulf does seem to be strongly tied to water as discussed earlier, and Joseph Campbell did describe water as being a symbol of one’s unconscious, suggesting that Beowulf may be forcing Grendel to face his own unconscious and understand his true beliefs and true self. This seems to be exactly what Beowulf is doing when he whispers in Grendel’s ear, “You make the world by whispers, second by second,” a phrase eerily similar to Grendel’s own, “I create the whole universe, blink by blink.” Was it perhaps that Grendel was running away from himself causing the endless war inside him between the Shaper and the dragon? If this was the case, was his battle with Beowulf an opportunity to set his mind free -- a blessing rather than a curse? Maybe. Or maybe Beowulf was just a “stranger” seeking glory.