Chapters 11 and 12

Like chapter 5, chapters 11 and 12 of Grendel serve as a significant shift from the rest of the novel. Both chapters 5 and these last two chapters introduce new characters who radically cause Grendel to question his beliefs. After reading chapters 11 and 12, I have made some new analysis that I would like to question. And so, this blog post will largely be composed of my thoughts considering whether Beowulf’s influence on Grendel causes Grendel to modify his entire outlook before he dies. From the introduction of Chapter 11, Grendel shifts from the tedium apparent in its chapter predecessor and suddenly he’s ecstatic when the stranger arrives, before viewing it as “a whole new game (151).” Moreover, there is almost a religious overtone as Grendel honors the water, “kiss the ice…for by water they came (151)” which alludes to the fact that Jesus also walked on water. When people kiss the ground, there’s a sense of worship so why does Grendel kiss the water which Beowulf metaphorically walks upon in order to arrive at Hrothgar’s kingdom? Does this ‘bowing’ down by Grendel represent a servile quality or a sense of futility in that Grendel acknowledges defeat to Beowulf subconsciously? Moreover, could it be that Grendel simply is beginning to abide by Beowulf’s ‘theories’ and thus he is accepting them through such an act? Yet Grendel seems to still be part dragon for he “could feel them coming as I lay in the dark of my cave (151).” Such an ability to sense the strangers approaching shows that Grendel has been anxious for their arrival or expected them to show. Grendel described, himself, even to experience the same “strange sensation (151)” which led him as “the mind of the dragon did once.” This causes the reader to question, is there some sort of parallel between the dragon and Beowulf? Are they somehow related? Moreover, there is also the theme of footsteps that reoccur. In the prior chapter, footsteps precede the Shaper’s death. Ironically, in chapter 11 these footsteps foreshadow Grendel’s death, even though he waves it off as “nothing but the sound of my own heart (152).” Moreover, for the first time, Grendel’s mother does not try to prevent him from leaving, though just beforehand Grendel’s mother had tried to stop him from attending the Shaper’s funeral. Yet, I cannot help but question why does Grendel’s mother seem so indifferent and mechanical while Grendel is heightened and agitated by some strange new feeling? Even more so, why are the firesnakes also so similar to Grendel in his reaction? “They sense it too (152)” Grendel observes. And if the firesnakes perceive it does this mean that dragon realizes whatever ‘it’ is as well since he is also part reptile? Thus this entire section is confusing to me: Why does Grendel’s mother reveal no attempt to stop her son from meeting a perceived threat while she tries to stop Grendel from attending a dead, harmless man’s funeral? It makes no sense. Additionally, when Grendel finally does encounter Beowulf and his thanes he characterizes them “like trees, these strangers. Their leader was big as a mountain, moving with his forest (153).” Although, Grendel addresses the stature of Beowulf’s obvious size and strength, he nevertheless mocks him and his thanes derisively, rebuking them as inanimate, unthinking objects because he thinks of nature as “indifferent” in thought and sensitivity, but the irony is in how Gardner describes Beowulf’s army as trees and mountains. While Grendel mocks nature, he is further mocking religion. By mocking trees, Grendel is simultaneously deriding knowledge as symbolic of the apple tree from the Garden of Eden. Thus, Gardner presents a paradoxical duality to Grendel’s contemptuous scorn. Grendel mocks trees, but he claims that he is thinking so does that make him a hypocrite?