What is the one thing that never leaves you? It is your shadow. However, your shadow cannot exist without the light from the sun. Just as sunlight brightens shadows, in the novel, Grendel, the author John Gardner illuminates the origins and the internal conflict of the Twelve-Year War between the beast-like creature named Grendel and human civilization known as the Danes. Upon close examination of the interactions between Grendel and humanity, it can be determined that good and evil must coexist to create harmony because each has characteristics that compliments the other’s existence.
Although Grendel initially decides to stop toying with the humans, the dragon scoffs at his thinking and tells him to continue, as Grendel’s influence pushes humans to systematically act upon Grendel’s actions and thus, overcome barriers. When Grendel conversed with the dragon, the dragon presented him insightful information: ‘You improve them, my boy! Can’t you see that? Yourself? You stimulate them! You make them think and scheme. 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…the mountain.’ (Gardner 72). Gardner uses the third person term “You” many times to give emphasis on the importance of Grendel’s existence and suggest his being is what keeps the peace among humanity and gives their actuality a purpose and meaning. Gardner also uses multiple verbs such as “stimulate”, “drive”, and “improve” to symbolize that his evilness is what drives and motivates fearful humans to work, strive, think, and overcome their problems. This can also be seen by the phrase: “You are, so to speak, the brute existent by which they learn to define themselves.” (Gardner 72) While abstract, in this context, Gardner reveals that Grendel is actually producing good. In short, the dragon is stating that while the humans are defined as “good” and Grendel is labeled as “evil,” the only reason they are “good” is due to Grendel’s existence.
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On the other hand, Gardner manages to also portray that the “evil” Grendel cannot exist without the “good” and moral of the humans. They are both reliant on each other because their opponent’s “good” or “evil” qualities shape the other’s identity. Grendel’s evil characteristics–brutality, rudeness, and lack of empathy–define the good qualities of the Danes: the driven force to strive to survive from Grendel’s clutches. It is apparent that good and evil have indivisible, yet also indefinable boundaries, and are two in the same.
While Grendel killing humans is merely for personal satisfaction, it reflects the importance of his role in bringing out the dauntless side of humanity. When Grendel encountered the self-proclaimed hero, Unferth, he observed: ““It will be sung,” he whispered, then paused again to get wind. “It will be sung year on year and age on age that Unferth went down through the burning lake—” he paused to pant “—and gave his life in battle with the world-rim monster…put my elbows on my knees and my chin on my fists and merely watched.”” (Gardner 87)
Gardner uses Unferth and Grendel to portray the clash between “good” and “evil”, with Unferth representing the good and Grendel, the evil. He proves that the conflict between good and evil will always be at a standstill when Unferth “waits[s] for me [Grendel] to kill him” and Grendel “merely watched.” It symbolizes how the forces of good and evil are constantly engaged, but cannot exist without one another, therefore must coexist. Although it may seem superficial, Unferth’s “good” characteristics are revealed through the quote: “It will be sung year on year and age on age that Unferth went down through the burning lake—” he paused to pant “—and gave his life in battle with the world-rim monster.”
Gardner uses the phrase “sung year on year and age on age” imagery to give context to a ritual that is typically performed to a respected individual for remembrance, in this case, supposedly Unferth. Gardner also uses irony through the phrase “burning lake” that refers to an active portrayal of what hell and evilness is seen like and Unferth goes down fighting those forces honorably. “Good” attributes are characterized as sacrificing one’s well-being or life for the sake of the happiness of others and Unferth wanted to die at Grendel’s hands for the sensation of superiority and comfort of self-awareness that comes with being a hero. Upon closer inspection, the only reason Unferth was able to showcase his true intentions through Grendel’s existence. It brings out the rather “dark”, evil side of human nature– an ego fueled by ignorance, insensitivity, and cruelty. Without Grendel, Unferth would have remained the bitter, fearful man he always was. It is clear that good and evil have inseparable boundaries.
The duality of “good” and “evil” reveals the necessity for the coexistence between the two. This can be seen by the conflict between the Danes and Grendel. The dragon opens Grendel’s eyes to the truth that humanity was only able to thrive by the Grendel’s very existence and that the two races rely on each other. Grendel’s encounter with Unferth revealed the dark side of human nature and his true desires of superiority was only brought out by Grendel’s presence. Gardner is ultimately stating that while it is the norm for the “good” to overpower the “evil”, in reality, the existence of both themes is what leads to peace and harmony.
