1. Grendel Philosophical study

5. CONSIDER...  Vietnam War  University protest (Kent State)  Cold War  Threat of Nuclear War

6.  Grendel is obviously derived from Beowulf.  John Gardner, turned the one-sided “evil” monster into a 3-dimensional character.  We will see Grendel struggle to find meaning in life. This work is ultimately philosophical. Grendel explores what it means to be “human.” THE INSPIRATION

8. Gardner’s Central Question Gardner wrote, “Hopefully all readers will enjoy [ Grendel ] and recognize the central question, namely: if the world really is meaningless, how should I live?”  As we read Grendel, we will discuss,many possible answers to this question.

9. 12 chapters: Twelve years of Grendel’s raids and 12 zodiacs Not chronological: Flashbacks, Allusions, Foreshadowing Tense: Present tense is interspersed with past telling of events leading up to this 12th year Each chapter presents a different branch of philosophy – some will overlap.

10. Philosophies  Solipsism-The belief that the self can know only itself and that it (the self) is the only existent thing  A weak defense  Universe functions independently

11.  Nihilism-The belief that nothing has meaning; that life is a long series of accidents and is in itself an accident  Why? It does not matter anyway.

12. Sophism - Arguments can be made on either side of an issue. It is the argument rather than the content that is important. Metaphysics Looking for "the Big Picture" - unifying concepts that explain existence Existentialism We are alone in a hostile world. We are free to make our own meaning and are responsible for our own life decisions Old Testament Theology An eye for an eye. A harsh punishing God

13. Empiricism What is real is what we experience. All knowledge comes from experience. Machiavellian Statecraft - The end justifies the means. The smart leader does whatever is necessary to secure and continue power. New Testament - A philosophy of forgiveness and personal sacrifice for the well-being of the group Natural Philosophers Life is an endless cycle -

14. The Character  Grendel--intelligent, sensitive, immature monster. He’s curious, seeks answers; becomes cynical, hollow brutal creature

16. chapter 1 Natural Philosophers Life is an endless cycle -  how new life starts with spring

17. Solipsism Denies the importance of anything except the individual person's consciousness. The self can only know the self. The self is the only existent thing. young Grendel, not knowing the world yet – no “mom” help Weak defense Separate universe chapter 2

18. Sophism - Arguments can be made on either side of an issue. It is the argument rather than the content that is important. Grendel's observation of how people think and act Grendel’s Reaction to the (Scop’s) Shaper’s Songs chapter 3 He feels torn between what he observes (reality) and what he hears (the beauty and idealism)

19. Old Testament Theology An eye for an eye. A harsh punishing God. after Grendel brings the body and is attacked again, he comforts himself in knowing human nature and how Hrothgar's dependents won’t be as nice and as loved chapter 4

20. Metaphysics Looking for "the Big Picture" -unifying concepts that explain existence  ch 5 conversations between the dragon and Grendel AND  ch 9 the priest's belief in the Destroyer chapter 5/9

21. Nihilism Life is meaningless. We just exist.  - ch 5 the dragon AND  ch 10 Grendel thinks of the dragon chapter 5/10

22. Existentialism We are alone in a hostile world. We are free to make our own meaning and are responsible for our own life decisions. ch 6 Grendel's reaction to what the dragon told him AND ch 11 Beowulf's decision chapter 6/11

23. New Testament - A philosophy of forgiveness and personal sacrifice for the well-being of the group the queen  What evidence of balance is in this chapter?  How does Grendel attack this balance?  What does Grendel mean by comments such as “Pity poor Grengar, Hrothdel’s foe”? and “What will we call the Hrothgar- wrecker when Hrothgar has been wrecked?”  What qualities are evident in Wealtheow?  What effect does she have on the Danes? On Grendel?  Why does Grendel stop himself from raping or killing Wealtheow? Note that he has never attacked the Shaper, either. chapter 7

24. Machiavellian Statecraft - The end justifies the means. The smart leader does whatever is necessary to secure and continue power. how Hrothulf thinks Hrothgar rules chapter 8

25. Empiricism What is real is what we experience. All knowledge comes from experience. conversation between Grendel and Beowulf chapter 12

26. A Tale Told By an Idiot?  Grendel says often that he is stupid and that life is meaningless (and he tells the story)  He whispers, cannot be understood by the Danes (his language is older)  His voice is too loud and frightful to be understood.  His killings, an expression of anger and the meaning of his tale he summarizes at the close of chapter 10: “ Nihil ex nihilo.” (Latin for Nothing comes from Nothing)