In both works, Beowulf and Grendel, Grendel himself is generally given the same connotations. He is given kennings, given names, called the evil offspring of Cain, and even considered a monster; but why? Why in both books is he a mean and horrible person who is harshly excluded from everyone? After coming across John Gardner's book, one half-expected an excuse to be found for Grendel; that he was not really the inexorable monster that the thanes of Beowulf portrayed him to be. But in reality, it only made his situation worse. What is the message we are being sent about Grendel? In Beowulf, we know almost nothing about Grendel. His name is barely mentioned and he instead receives copious amounts of kennings. In Grendel, we learn everything about him; his philosophy of life, his “family” and even his childhood. But why do we get the genealogy of all the important characters in Beowulf except Grendel? The only thing we know about him is that he is the descendant of Cain. It's almost as if the Anglo-Saxons don't want you to know how Grendel became the way he did. I...