effect of society on Grendel
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
The society that surrounds Grendel is nearly impossible for him to live in. High expectations and desired characteristics within the society fail to make any room for people or things like Grendel. There are numerous standards that prevent Grendel from fitting in and the affect they have on Grendel is disastrous.
Requiring the possession of strength and courage is definitely a standard set by this society. To be well-respected and looked up to, men have to be willing to risk their lives at any given moment and for any given cause. The amount of pressure the society places on its men to be heroic causes the men to act insane. A good example of this behavior is when Unferth chases down Grendel for no reason other than the fact that by facing Grendel he may possibly be considered a hero. Society's requirements basically force men to place themselves in dangerous, often deadly, situations because that is the only way the men can earn respect and honor. These high standards affect Grendel because he lives up to them and possesses the strength and courage they require, but because he is a monster no one cares. Even as a child Grendel was brave enough to step outside of his comfort zone by exploring a the world outside of his own...