rations of established order. The universe refuses the deading influence of complete conformity."(Gardner 67) The Dragon's teachings do not get through to Grendel very well and finally the Dragon just lets it all out. "You drive them to poetry, science, religion, all that makes them what they are for as long as they last. You are, so to speak, the brute existent by which they learn to define themselves." (Gardner 73) After that comment, Grendel stubbornly blurts out that he does not want to be the brute. The dragon sarcastically replies by telling him to feed the hungry and help the poor. The dragon knows that it is inevitable for Grendel to be the brute but Grendel does not yet understand this. By chapters seven and eight, Grendel realizes his role in the hypocrisy. He realizes that when the queen is brought to Hrothgar that letting her live is the best thing to do after she loses her trust in the king. In chapter eight Hrothulf is the student of nihilism as Grendel observes. Grendel learns by listening to Red Horse about the corruption of the government. This is all in contribution to Grendel's developing of his idea of nihilism. By chapter ten, Grendel says to the reader, "Nihil ex nihilo, I always say." (Gardner 150) He now knows his role.In conclusion, this essay has gone through the development of the idea of nihilism throughout the book. From its early stages in chapters three and four, to its development in chapter five, to its full blown out ideas in chapters seven and eight. Grendel at the end of chapter ten sums up the whole hypocrisy in a simple phrase. "A stupid business." (Gardner 150)Difference of Character Development inBeowulf and Grendel The main difference between the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, and John Gardner's modern retelling, Grendel, lies in the development of the characters. In the epic poem, the characters are basically static, and their actions are predictable. In Grendel, Gardner call...
