Jealousy and Isolation in Beowulf

Jealousy and Isolation in Beowulf When one has been excluded from a group for a dogged time, it can often lead to feelings of contempt, and a need for revenge. This is the case with the monster, Grendel, in Beowulf, by John Gardner. Grendel feels excluded from humans in general, because he cannot understand them. He feels as though he does not belong to a community, because he has been living alone with his mother for such a long time. Overall, it is the combination of many different types of exclusions that pushes Grendel to become such a cruel, hideous beast with a situated heart and a thirst to kill.Grendel is where most of the description of this monster is located. It is said that Grendel swam across a lake of empty snakes to reach human civilization. Here, he observes human civilization from up close, and he does not understand what he sees. He feels very different from those living in that society. In addition, Hrothgar becomes king and is given power and riches. He even bu ilds a giant meadhall called Hart. Grendel is drawn in, discovers the Shaper, and becomes more curious. However, after a visit to the dragon, also an outsider, Grendels mind is changed because the dragon catchs all these things sound so undesirable.Talking to the dragon was the turning point for Grendel, and soon after, he becomes filled with rage and starts raiding Hart and harming the people inside. His misery leaped / The seas, was told and sung in all / mens ears how Grendels hatred began, / How the monster relished his savage war / On the Danes (lines 64-68). This proves that it was Grendels original zest to belong that made him this way. It is very likely that Grendel would not have become such a horrifying monster if it had not been for his feelings of jealousy.It is always hard to feel different and not accepted, and that is exactly how Grendel feels. Throughout the balance of the story, Grendel takes out his anger and wrath on seemingly innocent people, but there may b e more to the story than what appears on the surface. These peope could have helped and included him, instead of letting him watch from the outside tone in. Jealousy drives people to do crazy things, and in Grendels case, jealousy of power, money, and acceptance are what make him change into a terrifying, cold-blooded killer that needs to be stopped, eventually, by Beowulf.