Kategoriak: All - identity - morality - isolation - conflict

arabera Addison Ward 8 months ago

64

Grendel

The narrative delves into the life of Grendel, a character from the epic poem Beowulf, exploring his complex psyche and philosophical musings. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and modernist influences, the story captures themes of existentialism, nonconformity, and the human condition.

Grendel

Grendel

Historical Context

Published in 1971
Literary era

Modernism

Highly influenced by philosophy

Vietnam War

Cynicism and protest

Counter cultural movements

Civil Rights and LGBT-centered issues entering the mainstream

Nonconformity and rising against authority

Writing Techniques

Characters representing ideologies
Intertextuality
Based on the poem Beowulf
Assonance and alliteration
Vivid imagery

Characters

Hrothgar
King of Danes
The Shaper
Storyteller

Influential figure

The Dragon
Beowulf's final battle in Beowulf

Wise and cynical

Unferth
Beowulf's Rival

Killed by Grendel

Beowulf
Antagonist

Foil to Grendel

Heroic

Freyja
Grendel's mother

Animalistic and detached

Protagonist

Narrative Voice

Philosophical
Outcast

Resentful

Unreliable narrator

Intense emotion

Struggles to grasp reality

Themes

Human Condition
Finding meaning in a meaningless world
Power of Stories
Greatly influential

Hrothgar's people

Identity
Nonconformity
Conformity
Morality
Grey areas of good vs. evil
Existentialism
Hopefulness
Nihilism
Isolationism

Summary

Resolution
Grendel's death
Falling Action
Grendel's reflection of his existence
Climax
Grendel's battle with Beowulf
Rising Action
Grendel terrorizes Hrothgar's kingdom
Exposition
Grendel philosophizing

Interactions with characters of differing philosophies