Answer:
John Gardner's novel, Grendel, is a retelling of the epic poem, Beowulf, from the perspective of the monster Grendel. Throughout the novel, Grendel is portrayed as an archetypal anti-hero, a character who possesses qualities typically associated with heroes but also has characteristics that are typically associated with villains. Gardner's subtle manipulation of the character allows readers to empathize with Grendel, despite his evil nature.
One of the ways Gardner creates empathy for Grendel is through his isolation. Grendel is an outsider, rejected by both humans and other monsters. He is unable to communicate with others and spends much of his time alone, which creates a sense of sympathy for his loneliness. Additionally, Grendel is portrayed as an intelligent and introspective character who questions the meaning of his existence, further highlighting his isolation and his search for connection.
Another way Gardner makes Grendel relatable is through his sense of humor. Grendel is often cynical and sarcastic, and his observations about human behavior are often funny and insightful. Through his humor, Gardner is able to highlight the absurdity of human society and the hypocrisy of its values. This allows readers to see Grendel as a critic of society rather than just a mindless monster.
Despite his evil nature, Grendel also has a sense of morality. He is repulsed by the violence of both humans and monsters and questions the need for such violence. This moral compass makes Grendel a more complex
Step-by-step explanation: