Chapter 8

In what ways does the character of Red Horse embody the political concept of Machiavellianism? If you have not been exposed to Machiavelli - learn about him today!Red Horse also has some Anarchist tendencies - can you give me an example?Also, what does Hrothgar have to do with Plato's Republic?Finally, Grendel says at the end of the chapter, "I made him what he is." In what ways does that connect to page 91 where Grendel exclaims, "My enemies define themselves on me?"Can you think of a person that might be uttering this phrase at this very moment?

MACHIAVELLIANISM: (definitions)

the political doctrine of Machiavelli: any means (however unscrupulous) can be used by a ruler in order to create and maintain his autocratic ...wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Machiavellianism is the term that some social and personality psychologists use to describe a person's tendency to deceive and manipulate others for personal gain. The concept is named after Renaissance diplomat and writer Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote Il Principe (The Prince). ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellianism
A measure of the degree to which people are pragmatic, maintain emotional distance, and believe that end justifies means.www.crfonline.org/orc/glossary/m.html
A personality dimension characterised by the manipulation of others.www.tabmd.com/md/m-4.htm

There is a parallel that exists between Grendel’s relationship with the dragon and the Red Horse’s relationship with the character Hrothulf. The dragon had served as a philosophical teacher to Grendel, and the Red Horse serves as a teacher to Hrothulf, as well.

“If the Revolution comes to grief, it will be you and those you lead have become alarmed at your own brutality” (117). “The total ruin of institutions and morals is an act of creation. A religious act. Murder and mayhem are the life and soul of revolution. I imagine you won’t laugh when I tell you that. There are plenty of fools who would” (118).

Red Horse explains to Hrothulf that he must find a way to frame his revolution, which has to be violently executed. Machiavellian concepts are shown through his descriptions of government as a branch that only protects the powerful and ignores the weak.

Allusion to Plato's Republic:
"Hrothgar, keen of mind, is out of schemes. No fault of his. There are no schemes left. And so he waits like a man chained in a cave, staring at the entrance or, sometimes, gazing with sad, absent-minded eyes at Wealtheow, chained beside him" (122).

ANARCHIST (plural anarchists)
One who believes in or advocates the absence of government in all forms (compare anarchism), especially one who works toward the realization of such.
One who disregards laws and social norms as a form of rebellion against authority.
By extension from previous sense, one who promotes chaos and lawlessness; a nihilist or terrorist.
One who resents outside control or influence on his or her life, in particular a government, and therefore desires the absence of political control.

The Red Horse's anarchist tendencies are shown through his rejection of governmental ideas. "The state is an organization of violence, a monopoly in what it is pleased to call legitimate violence. Revolution, my dear prince, is not the substitution of immoral or moral, or of illegitimate or legitimate violence; it is simply the pitting of power against power, where the issue of freedom for the winners and enslavement of the rest" (119). "But I'm a simple man, you see," he said, "and that's exactly what I do. All systems are evil. All governments are evil. Not just a trifle evil. Monstrously evil." "Though he smiled, he was shaking, only half controlling it. 'If you want me to help you destroy a government, I'm here to serve. But as for Universal Justice-'" (120).

"I made him what he is" reflects back to the quote "My enemies define themselves on me." This means that people are shaped by opposition. Without an external struggle, people have to reason to fight or attack. Therefore, Grendel serves as a conflict that the Scyldings must overcome. Without Grendel, there can be no heroes among the Scyldings to take him down. Grendel causes the Scyldings many problems and deaths, but he is an essential part of their society.