Journal 11

Philosophy- journal 11

                The first chapter opens up with Aries, the ram, which marks the beginning of a new cycle. In this first chapter the story shows repetition of the cycles. For Grendel, each year seems to repeat itself with the same reaction toward his actions. Grendel knows that he will go down to Herot’s meadhall and that no one will stop him. This chapter shows the theory that the world is an endless cycle. The second chapter is also important in showing Grendel’s early philosophies because in the second chapter Taurus, the bull, is the real beginning of the story. In this chapter Grendel gets his foot stuck in the crotch of the tree; after Grendel sees no hope in being saved he assumes that he, himself, exists and no one else. When men later find him in the tree and torture him in order to figure out what he is Grendel shrieks of pain which brings his mother to his rescue. Once Grendel arrives home, he again comes to the assumption that he alone exist. This begins Grendel’s path towards a solipsist philosophy. Solipsism is the denial of other concrete objects existence.

                In the third chapter Gemini, the twin, challenges Grendel’s solipsist philosophies through the use of the shaper. The shaper brings account to the village and forces Grendel to recognize exterior reality. For Grendel, the shaper creates order through the idea of good and evil. In chapter four Cancer, the crab, introduces the ideas of religion. Grendel comes to want to accept the idea of the shaper even though he will be portrayed as evil. Grendel wants to accept the shapers tales showing the desires of hope and order. Grendel even goes as far as to present himself to the warriors in the meadhall to ask for forgiveness; Grendel’s presentation results in the attack of the warriors through fear.

                In chapter five Leo, the lion, helps show Grendel what his role in society is. Grendel’s wonder as to his purpose continues to grow and in turn goes to the dragon for answers. Much of the dragon’s advice is nihilistic, telling Grendel that there is no purpose to philosophy. The Dragon tells Grendel that his only motto is to get “gold, and sit on it.” The dragon’s nihilistic views prevent Grendel from accepting the simply theology of the shaper. After Grendel’s meeting with the Dragon he is charmed, which changes his attitude towards society. The charm creates anger towards Herot’s citizens and a feeling of superiority. Grendel’s superiority comes from his invincibility to human weapons. This leads to Grendel’s views that his “existence precedes essence,” which shows that Grendel has been reborn in beliefs. This rebirth is in a renewal of his solipsist physiology; he recognizes that others may exist but they are all enemies to him. Since Grendel is on his own, this shows his representation that he alone exists. Grendel’s beliefs are balanced out by Wealthow, the character from chapter seven, who brings order and peace to Heorot; while Grendel brings violence and chaos to the city.

                In chapter eight Scorpio, the scorpion, establishes the ideas and philosophies of other characters in the story. Two of these characters are Hrothulf and Red Horse who scorns the separation of power between the rich and the poor.  Red Horse tells Hrothulf that “All systems are evil. All governments are evil. Not just a trifle evil. Monstrously evil” (Gardner 116).On the other hand, Hrothulf thinks that not all governments are evil and hopes to take power to change the crude behaviors of the present kingdom. These beliefs are demonstrated by Gardener and represents Machievelli's ideas.  The story continues towards this modern age of thinking, which is shown in chapter nine by Sagittarius, the hunter, where religion doesn’t have such a major role. The village still believes in the ideas of good and evil but they move towards Whiteheads idea of process. Grendel even is stunned by how the young priest preach things they don’t believe in. This is shown when they scorn Ork because of his theories of God. The priest describes Ork as a "lunatic priests” that is “bad business. . . . One man like him can turn us all to paupers" (Gardner 117).

                In chapter ten Capricorn, the goat, shows how the Capricorns symbolize Grendel’s pessimistic views that he develops in this chapter by a Nietzchean philosophy. Grendel, the only one moved by the Orks words, also shows to be the most affected by the Shapers death. When the shaper dies Grendel goes as far as to say that “we’re on our own again. Abandoned” (Gardner 130).  Grendel now shows views in this chapter that without the shaper there is emptiness in the world. Gardner uses these pessimistic views to represent that symbolism of Nietzshe’s writing.

                In the last two chapters of eleven and twelve, Grendel comes to notice that maybe he is not the only one that exist. This new thinking comes with the arrival of Beowulf, who Grendel becomes to fear. Grendel finally brushes with his fears and is ready for his encounter with Beowulf. When Grendel goes into battle with Beowulf he quickly learns that this might have the same outcome as the many nights before. Grendel’s defeat forces him to change from his solipsism philosophy to that of empiricism, the acceptance of other objects. This last chapter shows his major change from his beginning ideas that he alone exist, with some challenges along the way, to his final knowledge that other objects and beings around him do exist.