Grendel's Discoveries

Throughout Grendel, the main character and narrator, Grendel the monster, experiences countless awakenings, discoveries, and changes in his thoughts and actions. These awakenings each stem from his search to understand himself and the world around him. Many events that have an effect on Grendel include his relationships with Unferth the hero, Hgrothar the king, Wealtheow the queen, and Beowulf the destroyer. During Grendel’s journey, his encounters with humans, the Shaper, and the dragon drastically change many thoughts, feelings, and actions about Grendel’s view of himself and reality.
Young Grendel’s first major awakening comes through his encounter with humans. While trapped in a tree he is introduced to humans as they attack him with arrows and javelins. Just before this attack, Grendel was beginning to understand himself and his world. He realizes, later, after meeting the humans, that “childhood too feels good at first, before one happens to notice the terrible...