Mechanics

Because Grendel is able to function on a higher mental plane, he sees life in a different way than most humans do. Rather than viewing life as a series of individual and unique moments, Grendel sees life is like a machine. Living is a repetitive, inescapable cycle, and most humans aren’t even aware they are trapped in the loop. This thinking plays a huge role in why Grendel despises humans and even other animals. The ram at the beginning of the novel keeps trying to copulate, something Grendel knows the ram can never end. Also, when Grendel is stuck up in the tree, the bull keeps charging at the tree in the same way; rather than trying to figure out a way actually to reach Grendel, the bull only hits the tree trunk for hours.

What made Grendel so keen on the humans at first was they...