Throughout the novel Grendel by John Gardner, the monster Grendel has many different encounters that change his view of the world. Whether nihilism, existentialism, or idealism, Grendel was influenced in many ways by each of them. The monster Grendel starts out as an existentialist, but turns into a nihilist after talking to the most nihilistic character in the book, the dragon. Influenced by nihilism, existentialism, and idealism, Grendel is reshaped and sculpted into an entirely new thing. Grendel is first influenced by nihilism in our book. “Why can’t I have someone to talk to?” I said. The stars said nothing, but I pretended to ignore the rudeness. “The Shaper has people to talk to,” I said. I twisted my fingers. “Hrothgar has people to talk to.” (Grendel, p. 53) Grendel's isolation pushes him to petulance. He asks the cosmos who to talk to, but of course he gets no answer. Grendel is essentially a lonely child looking for a friend. He envies both the Shaper, Hrothgar, and their company, even though he constantly complains about their self-defense....