Saez 1

Julianna Saez

Mrs. Hudak

English III, Block 2

21 December 2018

The Signs of Change

Is it plausible to believe that a zodiac sign can determine a person’s future or even his or

her fate? This question may arise in response to John Gardner’s ​Grendel​ and his decision to

insert imagery of the twelve zodiac signs in each of his twelve chapters. The reasoning behind

this approach can be found in an interview with Gardner himself: “In ​Grendel​ I wanted to go

through the main ideas of Western civilization...and go through them in the voice of the

monster...with the various philosophical attitudes” (Gardner and Chavkin). Knowing this, it

becomes apparent to the reader how essential the zodiac signs and their imagery are for

Grendel’s growth and his changing perception of life throughout the novel; however, some signs

hold more significance than others. In John Gardner’s ​Grendel,​ the presence and imagery of the

zodiac signs Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius reveal to Grendel different interpretations of reality

which leads to his changing, despairing outlooks on life.

Taurus is represented by the bull Grendel faces in Chapter Two, whose attacks lead to

him adopting the philosophy of solipsism, which aligns with characteristics associated with the

sign. Solipsism is the belief system where “the mind is the only thing that can be known to exist

and that knowledge of anything outside the mind is unjustified” (“Solipsism”). This thinking

from Grendel comes to existence when a bull mercilessly attacks him while he is stuck in a tree
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and is unable to retaliate: “I understood that the world was nothing: a mechanical chaos of

casual, brute enmity...I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist” (Gardner 22).

Grendel’s statement about how his existence is unique aligns with the beliefs of solipsism, thus

showing his first changed outlook on the world. His attitude during this revelation reflects the

personality traits represented by the sign of Taurus. Taurus tend to be objective and

self-indulgent, which causes them to find meaning in things that can only be confirmed

themselves and to be “ so goal-oriented that they often form a notion that the world revolves

around them” (“Taurus Traits”). These traits fit with the theory of solipsism, and in turn, the new

perception Grendel gains about his existence. The representation of Taurus in Chapter Two

results in Grendel’s changing outlook on the world, which continues to develop due to the

presence of Leo and its influence in the novel.

Leo, in Chapter Five, is represented by the dragon and his personality as he teaches

Grendel a more complex understanding of life, which is clouded by a nihilistic viewpoint. The

philosophy of nihilism “labels all values as worthless, therefore, nothing can be known or

communicated” (“Nihilism”). The dragon’s attempts of having Grendel realize the “truth” of the

universe reveals his own belief that existence is insignificant when compared to the vastness of

the universe: “‘In a billion billion billion years, everything will have come and gone several

times...[a] swirl in the stream of time’” (Gardner 70). The dragon’s nihilistic views later

influence Grendel and change his life philosophy once again. The temperment of the dragon

reflects those associated with that of the zodiac sign Leo. A common trait identified with the sign

is the “want to be in control of situations and expect people to follow them...they have a huge
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and fragile ego, which often gets hurt over trivial matters” (“Leo Traits”). The feelings of

superiority and the intense ego that the Leo sign is known for matches with the dragon’s

narcissism and ideology that he is the only one who truly understands the meaning of life. His

unwavering ideals is what causes his words to have such a strong impact on Grendel and

ultimately change the monster’s viewpoint on his place in the world. The presence of Leo

portrayed in the dragon alters Grendel’s perspective of reality and the meaning of his existence,

which he experiences again through the imagery of the zodiac sign Aquarius.

Aquarius is represented in Chapter Eleven by Grendel’s emotions and through his

conclusion of what life means for him, which can be defined as existentialism. Existentialism is

the philosophy where the main concern is “finding self and the meaning of life through free will,

choice, and personal responsibility” (“Existentialism”). The reader can see Grendel accept this

ideology after he sees Beowulf and his men for the first time and questions whether he should

attack them or stay safe within his cave: “‘Am I not free?-- as free as a bird?’” (Grendel 157).

Grendel’s understanding that he can determine his own fate in a meaningless existence because

he is free to do as he pleases fits under existentialism. His beliefs and his newfound perspective

on life can be related to Aquarius characteristics. One main attribute of the people who fall under

this sign possess “philosophy in life is to live and let live…[t]hey are scared of losing their

freedom” (“Aquarius Traits”). Aquarius is characterized by their will to exist as they desire and

their emphasis of maintaining that freedom, which Grendel exhibits as he realizes how his own

freedom is essential to dictating his fate in the universe. The imagery of Aquarius present in
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Grendel’s own thinking aids in his realization that he himself is responsible for his existence,

thus completing the transformation of Grendel’s cynical perceptions of life.

The zodiac signs Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius all play a large part through their imagery

within the novel by introducing Grendel to different philosophies of life and ultimately leading to

his distraught outlooks of the world. Taurus qualities of self-indulgence can be seen in Grendel

as he comes to the realization that his life is the only proof of existence as he accepts solipsism.

The ego and desire for control from Leo is reflected in the dragon’s pessimistic personality and

firm belief that existence is meaningless, which is also known as nihilism. The Aquarius

characteristics of prioritizing freedom and wanting to live as they see fit are apparent in Grendel

as he accepts that he is the only being that can alter his fate in an existence that is otherwise

futile. Ultimately, Gardner explores the effects of zodiac signs as an ideology and how they alter

Grendel by having him develop different philosophical attitudes that reflect on what each sign

represents. This becomes more evident with the fact that people tend to believe that their

horoscope will influence and reinforce a sense of control in their lives (Hosie). The reader should

be able to see how astrology can be used to introduce different views of the world and one’s fate.
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Works Cited

“Aquarius Traits.” GaneshaSpeaks, Pandit Ventures Private Limited,

www.ganeshaspeaks.com/zodiac-signs/aquarius/traits/​.

“Existentialism” AllAboutPhilosophy.org, AllAboutPhilosophy.org

https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/existentialism.htm

Gardner, John. Grendel. A.A. Knopf, 1971.

Gardner, John, and Allan Richard Chavkin. ​Conversations with John Gardner​. University Press

of Mississippi, 1990.

Hosie, Rachel. “This Is Why so Many Millennials Believe in Horoscopes.” The Independent,

Independent Digital News and Media, 9 Feb. 2017,

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/horoscopes-millennials-why-do-so-many-believe-zodiac

-star-signs-a7531806.html​.

“Leo Traits.” GaneshaSpeaks, Pandit Ventures Private Limited,

www.ganeshaspeaks.com/zodiac-signs/leo/traits/​.

“Nihilism” AllAboutPhilosophy.org, AllAboutPhilosophy.org,

www.allaboutphilosophy.org/nihilism.htm​.

“Solipsism.” The Basics of Philosophy, Philosophybasics.com,

www.philosophybasics.com/branch_solipsism.html​.

“Taurus Traits.” GaneshaSpeaks, Pandit Ventures Private Limited,

www.ganeshaspeaks.com/zodiac-signs/taurus/traits/​.