How is Grendel a parody of Beowulf?
Grendel most significantly differs from Beowulf by its point of view. Instead of being objectively third person, Grendel was directly from Grendel’s perspective. In Beowulf, the focus was on the heroism of Beowulf and how he was better than Unferth. Beowulf was determined to defeat Grendel and win fame with the Danes, thus maintain his reputation and honor among the men. Grendel was like a behind-the-scenes look at Beowulf. It seemed to be an eye-opening because Grendel is the unquestionable villain. Readers don’t question his motives because of the way he’s depicted.
Unlike in Beowulf, where Grendel is a heartless monster incapable of anything but evil, in Grendel, he is able to think philosophically and describe his feelings toward humans. He showed readers how he was exposed to the cruel nature of humans from an early age and grew up with the disposition of being their enemy. Grendel mocked the lunatic theories and of humans and Unferth’s need to be heroic. He mocked Hrothgar’s failing power and inability of the humans to fight him off. For these reasons, the novel Grendel is mocking imitation of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf.
Unlike in Beowulf, where Grendel is a heartless monster incapable of anything but evil, in Grendel, he is able to think philosophically and describe his feelings toward humans. He showed readers how he was exposed to the cruel nature of humans from an early age and grew up with the disposition of being their enemy. Grendel mocked the lunatic theories and of humans and Unferth’s need to be heroic. He mocked Hrothgar’s failing power and inability of the humans to fight him off. For these reasons, the novel Grendel is mocking imitation of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf.
"I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist." ~Grendel