Throughout the novel, Grendel exhibits that his curiosity is his greatest motivator. The question of why everything goes on in the world is a reoccurring line in the story. After Grendel discovers a world outside his mountain, it is his inquisitive nature that leads to his nightlong investigations. Grendel’s curious nature is what drives him to the outskirts of the civilized human world. He desires to learn more about the humans that inhabit the world he found. This desire to learn leads to his intrigue with the human referred to as the Shaper.
In the story, the Shaper is a scop that is admired for his advanced storytelling. To Grendel, The Shaper symbolizes the source of answers that he has been looking for. These answers fuel Grendel’s obsession with the Shaper. This obsession compels Grendel to get as close to the humans as possible. Grendel’s obsession leads to him believing he and the humans are kindred. This is where Grendel’s tale takes a turn for the worst; after he reveals his existence to the humans, he is attacked. Grendel’s insatiable curiosity set the entire story into motion.
Grendel was able to find the humans after exploring the mountain and the world outside. Grendel found his way out of his mother’s den because he was eager to discover every crevice and corner in his mountain. This search takes Grendel to the surrounding forests. Grendel’s quest for knowledge does not end at the first tree he finds. He spends many nights going as far into the forest as possible, only returning just before dawn. These night time excursions lead Grendel into more than one predicament. Grendel is placed into danger because of his probing.
Grendel’s quest for answers brings him to his scariest encounter, a meeting with the dragon. Grendel believes the all-knowing dragon will be a welcome relief from his prying mind. Instead, the dragon only confuses and aggravates the fledgling monster. Grendel walks away with more questions than he came in with. Not only did the dragon infuriate Grendel with his perplexing nature, but Grendel got on the dragon’s bad side. Again, Grendel’s curiosity leads him into trouble.
It seems that, at first, Grendel is just an unlucky and curious child. His grand adventures and voyages outside the home are nothing but good natured exploration. Grendel’s curiosity turns to scorn when he can no longer stand the plight derived from his questions. His attacks on the humans begin because he was denied an answer he finally accepted. All his curiosity leads to is trouble and pain, rather than answers.
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