Beowulf an Astrological Theme

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Beowulf An Astrological Theme John Gardner, American novelist and scholar, poet, and college professor (1933-1982), taught medieval literature and creative writing at various colleges and universities before becoming the founder and director of the writing program at the New York State University at Binghamton until his death in 1982, resulting from a motorcycle accident. He achieved critical acclaim with the publication of his metafictional novel Grendel (1971), according Robert Daly. Metafiction is a type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction; it is “a work of fiction within a fiction” (Metifiction). Gardner’s novel Grendel, narrated by Grendel, retells the story of Beowulf from the hideous, bloodthirsty monster Grendel’s perspective, emphasizing the preceding twelve years of Grendel’s life, culminating in his death, literally, at the hands of Beowulf. Gardner symbolically incorporates the twelve astrological signs of the zodiac as a running theme throughout the twelve chapters in his novel. Subsequently, the chronological order of the chapters, correspond with that of the zodiac, thereby conveying a particular meaning, as defined through their symbolism; thus, providing insight to the sequential development of Grendel’s character and philosophy; three of these signs are Aries, Leo, and Pisces. According to Graig J. Stromme, author of The Twelve Chapters of Grendel, a critique of Gardner’s novel, by “studying the philosophical discussions that occur between characters and in the musings of Grendel,” a conclusive correlation can be drawn between Grendel’s philosophy and the signs of the zodiac, which is precisely Gardner’s intent. Moreover, it is important, according to Stromme, that Grendel, the novel, be analyzed separately from the novel Beowulf, except for its basic plot. “In Beowulf the focus is always on heroic
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