Journal 3

What is Grendel’s attitude toward language? How does it change throughout the novel?

   Language plays a major role in Grendel, both in relation to art and to communication. When Grendel first meets the Danes, Grendel realizes that he and they share the same language. However, when Grendel speaks, the words come out garbled and distorted, and as a result, language is an obstacle that keeps the Danes from communicating with Grendel. However, when Grendel is introduced to poetry, his understanding of language changes profoundly and he begins to appreciate language. This is evident when Grendel takes a special interest in the village sharper and his narrative gradually transitions from sounding somewhat primitive to resembling advanced literature.

    When Grendel starts appreciating language, it is still a disadvantage to him and even leads to his downfall. We first see it as a weakness when he is distraught when the sharper’s poetry focuses on religion. Grendel’s conflicting feelings about language and poetry lead him to have his “conversation” with the dragon and leads to his decision to terrorize the Danes. Once his antics attract the attention of Beowulf, language is what kills him during his battle with Beowulf. Once Beowulf begins to whisper to Grendel, Grendel loses what little control he has and fails to break out of Beowulf’s grasp.