Chapter 6 & 7

Considering what happens to both Grendel and Unferth in Chapter 6, why do you think the Chapter begins with the line: "Nothing was changed, everything was changed." Why do you think Skepticism defines this chapter?In Chapter 7, Grendel states that "My enemies define themselves (as the dragon said) on me." Considering what we have studied about Monsters and 'The Other', do you agree with Grendel? In your opinion, does Wealtheow represent a Christ figure? Provide specific examples to support your claims. Where is the sign of Libra found in Chapter 7?

Previously in Chapter 5 Grendel had encountered the dragon. In Chapter 6 Grendel realizes that the dragon has put a charm on him, since when the men attack him they do not injure him. After Grendel learns that he cannot be attacked, he laughs about it. "I laughed. It was outrageous: they came, they fell, howling insanity about brothers, fathers, glorious Hrothgar, and God" (81). "Nothing was changed, everything was changed" describes how seemingly nothing unusual had happened to Grendel after he visited the dragon. In Chapter 5 the dragon had tried to reach Grendel through in depth conversations, but Grendel's immaturity prevents him from understanding the dragon's wisdom. However, Grendel soon comes to the realization that he no longer has to fight off men, but is instead completely omnipotent. His quest for power over the men continues as he keeps the blood bath going by taking lives of countless men. Grendel is happy with his new found power, but also angered after he hears the Shaper's song: (pg. 77) "I no longer remember exactly what he sang. I know only that it had a strange effect on me: it no longer filled me with doubt and distress, loneliness, shame. It enraged me. It was their confidence, maybe- their blissful, swinish ignorance, their bumptious self-satisfaction, and, worst of all, their hope." This reveals Grendel's distress and how he still feels alone in the world. Power is not enough because he does not have anyone else. His mother has nearly abandoned him by not protecting him and just sits in the cave. Instead Grendel has to fight on his own like a bully preying on smaller children. Skepticism defines Chapter 6 because Grendel is skeptical about the philosophies that the dragon has told him in Chapter 5: "What god? Where? Life-force, you mean? The principle of process? God as the history of chance?...My advice to you, my violent friend, is to seek out gold and sit on it" (74). During Chapter 6, Grendel is still skeptical about what the dragon has told him, but he still think about it. He is confused on account of his new power, but he is also saddened because he know that he will always be at war with men. "My enemies define themselves (as the dragon said) on me." I agree with Grendel's statement from Chapter 7, since without Grendel the men that attacked him would not be "heros." Unferth's purpose in attacking Grendel was to go down in songs and myths as a hero. If Grendel was not the enemy to defeat, then the Scyldings would have no huge conflict. Therefore Grendel is as much a part of them as they are a part of him. Grendel likes to pick the men off one by one and would not have that instant gratification if they were not there. Grendel only is a "monster" because the men around him think that he is. If Grendel was all alone then he would not be a "monster." Society deems monsters; people create monsters. Grendel alone would not be a monster. Weatheow is portrayed in a god like manner in Chapter 7. "As if for my benefit, as if in vicious scorn of me, children came from the meadhall and ran down to her, weeping, to snatch to her hands and dress" (100). This is a biblical allusion to Jesus who would have children run up to him and touch his hands and feet. "She did not look at them, merely touched their heads. 'Be still,' she said- hardly more than a whisper, but it carried across the crowd. They were still, as if her voice were magic" (101). "I could see myself leaping from my high tree and running on all fours through the crowd to her, howling, whimpering, throwing myself down, drooling and groveling at her small, fur-booted feet. 'Mercy!' I would howl" (101). Grendel is helpless in the presense of a person of god like status. "She would gladly have given her life to end my suffering - horrible, humpbacked, carp-tootled creature, eyes on fire with useless, mindless love" (102). The sign of "Libra" is symbolized by the scales. The scales are also a symbol of justice. Libra's symbol is the only symbol in the zodiac that is inanimate (it is not represented by an animal or person).