How does Grendel feel about humans?

How does Grendel feel about humans?

Grendel tries to communicate with the humans, but they do not understand his words. As Grendel watches them plan their attack, he realizes that the humans are no dull-witted animals, but thinking, pattern-making beings, and therefore more dangerous than any creatures he has thus far encountered.

Why is Grendel jealous of humans?

Grendel despises these people for their happiness because, through circumstances beyond his control, he has been condemned to a life of suffering and despair in the shadows, so, much like his forefather, he is driven by his jealousy to commit violent acts against those whom he sees as favored by God.

Does Grendel want to be human?

Does Grendel want to be human? He seems to think of men as like him: he knows they are thoughtful, like he is. However, he also knows that he has animal urges: when he gets hungry, he needs blood, whether he wants it or not.

Why does Grendel kill humans in Grendel?

Basically, Grendel attacks humans for one reason. He, a descendant of Cain, has been exiled into darkness. Therefore, as a foe of God, Grendel is angered at the fact he cannot exist in light. Given that he cannot enact his revenge upon God himself, Grendel enacts his revenge upon God’s people.

Why is Grendel so alone?

He despises his intellect because it allows him to perceive. But for his nearinsensate mass of a mother, Grendel is man alone. He cannot mitigate his ugliness, his heinous instincts by diluting them in a community of ugly and bestial brothers. And he is unable to communicate with men.

How is Grendel strong?

For Grendel to invoke so much fear and commit so much carnage, he must also be incredibly strong. Grendel is described as being larger than any mortal man and possessing fearsome claws for ripping humans apart.

Is Grendel lonely?

Utterly alone and isolated, he can talk only to himself. When he finally encounters humans, he tries to communicate with them, but they misunderstand him and brand him as a terrifying monster. Gardner’s rewriting of the character of Grendel makes the monster sympathetic largely through his pathetic loneliness.

Why does Grendel feel frightened of the humans?

The humans continue to war with each other, claiming that they fight for honor and justice. But, from Grendel’s perspective, they simply attack each other for gold and other goods. Grendel is frightened by the humans, who seem in many ways crueler than Grendel. Grendel felt safe from the humans’ wars up in the trees.

What does Grendel say about undignified fighting?

His view of humans’ undignified fighting will later contrast greatly with the mythologized, heroic version of their own history that the humans develop for themselves later. Grendel describes how humans would gather around meadhall tables and boast.

How are humans and monsters alike in Grendel?

While Grendel goes on murderous rampages to satisfy his desire for blood, the humans also murder each other for, as Grendel sees it, no real purpose. At many points during the novel, the distinction between monster and human seems to blur, as Grendel seems more human than the Danes, and the Danes more monstrous than Grendel.

Why is Grendel evil according to the Bible?

The monks who transcribed the poem added this interpretation. This Christian reason to explain why Grendel is evil is that he is a descendent of Cain, which makes him a kin slayer. The Vikings have their own reason for not liking Grendel.