Grendel Zodiac Sign Essay

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Twelve Zodiac Symbols Through out the novel Grendel, John Gardner has put in all of the twelve zodiac symbols that attribute towards Grendel. The three major zodiac signs that are shown in Grendel are the Goat, the Bull, and the Fish. All three of these zodiac symbols show deep meaning into who Grendel really is, how they relate with Grendel, and the zodiac symbols also deeply express the ways of his thinking Grendel has and the encounters he has with others within Grendel. The Goat in Grendel represents Grendel’s will to never stop attacking Hrothgar’s meadhall, his stubbornness, and Grendel’s negative attitude. “It is the business of goats to climb.” (Gardner, 139) This is what Grendel says about the great horned goat that is climbing towards his mere. As it is the business of the goat to climb it is Grendel’s business to attack and pillage Hrothgar’s meadhall until he can be stopped. “’Not here,” I yell. “If your climbing’s your duty to the gods, go climb the meadhall.” He keeps on climbing.”(Gardner, 139) This shows how the goat is stubborn to what Grendel is saying to him as Grendel ignores his mother when she does not want him to go out of the cave anymore. “Each time I come in she gets between me and the door,” (Gardner, 145). But Grendel continues to head out towards Hrothgar’s kingdom to see what is going on, this shows his stubbornness to his mother. “I have half a mind to admire his bottomless stupidity.”(Grendel, 139) Grendel shows his negative attitude by yelling at the goat and calling it stupid. This is somewhat like how the Bull is integrated into
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