Chapter 9 -10

Why does Grendel describe the world as having "coffin-walls"?

Can you sense when something terrible is on it's way? Tedium is the worst pain; and Grendel seems to understand that decisions are unavoidable, (even though he seems to avoid them at all costs) and instinctively knows that something must be decided. Perhaps he intuitively understands that he must, ultimately, define himself in terms of himself.  If this is true, then why does he insist on positing his philosophy "nihil ex nihilo"?

The more I read this book the more I love the "human-ness" of it.

Here are some notes:
 

Chapter 9: Sagittarius: The Archer
 Symbols: Priest, Hart (Deer), Antlers, Wings

Focus: Organized Religion

–        Deep in December, the world is “dead” and “only the deepest religion can break through time and believe they’ll revive” (125) says Grendel

–        Children make angel shapes in snow.

–        Hart’s antlers: “like wings, filled with otherworldly light”.

–        Grendel pretends to be the “Great Destroyer,” the Danes’ pagan conception of god.

–        Head priest Ork talks of the nature of the king of gods

–        Grendel disproves religion once and for all; but is still awed by Ork’s faith.

–        Grendel has dreams, omens, portent of archer and hart, “restless expectations” for something to happen

Chapter 10: Capricorn the Goat
Symbol of Hope, perseverance

Other symbols: Hrothgar and the Shaper, the end of an epoch, both recede in importance, as new era looms. Sun keeps rising higher; days lengthen.
Philosophy: Nietzsche’s superman; brute "strength" conquers all. God is Dead.
   What is "Brute strength". Is it physical or is is the strength to do what is required of an authentic individual?

–        Goat perseveres, climbs, an image of death as Grendel attacks it. He is also death approaching Grendel.

–        Old woman predicts to children the coming of Beowulf and hope for the future (142).

–        Shaper, even in death, is visionary, but his vision is incomplete (144). Grendel refuses to admit he is moved by the Shaper’s death, recalls the power of the Shaper’s songs. Shaper’s assistant anticipates a new era.

–        Grendel’s mother tries to prevent him from going out to the funeral.

–        Grendel asserts his belief, a focus on nothing: “Nihil ex nihilo” (150)

–        Is Grendel “Superman”?