In Grendel, the story is told from Grendel's point of view. Therefore he is not viewed as a killing machine. In Beowulf however, it is the exact opposite. Grendel is seen as a monster who is terrorizing Hrothgar's people. The way Grendel is portrayed in Grendel is different from the way he is portrayed in Beowulf regarding his initiative and purpose. Grendel is portrayed the same in both stories when it comes to his actions and his nature. Grendel's initiative in Grendel is mainly self defense. Grendel was the one who was mistreated first by the humans. It started when he was simply observing the humans and he got caught in a tree. He was then attacked by a bull and several humans. He did not act on the humans first. They automatically …show more content…

"I move down through the darkness, burning with murderous lust, my brains raging at the sickness, I can observe myself as objectively as might a mind ten centuries away." It is in is chemical make-up, killing is his instinct. Grendel's nature shows in Beowulf as well. The nature of Grendel is a crucial ingredient to both stories. It is also alike in both stories. There are many similarities as well as differences in the stories of Grendel and Beowulf. Grendel is told from Grendel's point of view and therefore will not introduce him as the villain. Beowulf on the other hand, is told from the point of view of Hrothgar and the Danes which obviously means that Grendel is all wrong and is the complete center of all evil in this story. There are also several things that remain constant in both books. They are the things that cannot be avoided. Grendel and Beowulf differ in the way they portray Grendel when it comes to initiative and purpose yet they are the same in regard to Grendel's actions and