Grendel is a parody based on the epic poem, Beowulf. This book takes the monster, Grendel specifically, and makes him into a comical character. He takes many aspects from the play. Though he was not a main character in Beowulf, he was the main focus of Grendel. Unlike normal monsters, this monster, of Cain, is greatly interested in poetry and wants to rise up to the level of humans. The entire novel is about Grendel going through different philosophies. These are made to ridicule famous philosophers of the time period. Grendel really focuses more on emotion than Beowulf does, often leading to a comical situation. While still capturing the ideals of courage and heroism, there is comedy in the novel. Unferth is supposes to be one of the king’s strongest men. He tries persistently to attack Grendel, or at least die and honorable death in battle, but Grendel refuses to allow him to do this. At some point Grendel throws an apple at him. Another time, Unferth travels all the way to Grendel’s lair and ends up passing out from exhaustion. Unferth’s embarrassment is just one example of the comedy in the parody of Beowulf.
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