Beowulf: Beowulf: Run Fast for Your Mother, Run Fast for Your Mother, Run Fast for Your Father, Run Fast for Your Father,

Run for Your Children, Run for Your Children, For Your Sisters and BrothersFor Your Sisters and Brothers

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

2 December 20132 December 2013

Over the past few months, we’ve Over the past few months, we’ve debated the importance of choice and debated the importance of choice and free will. free will.

When we finished When we finished Siddhartha’sSiddhartha’s first first chapter, we asked ourselves whether chapter, we asked ourselves whether we’d be OK without the freedom to make we’d be OK without the freedom to make choices – and whether our answer to that choices – and whether our answer to that question depends on whether our question depends on whether our “outcomes” are positive. “outcomes” are positive.

When we discussed Macbeth and the When we discussed Macbeth and the Weïrd Sisters, we debated whether our Weïrd Sisters, we debated whether our control is limited (whether by deities or control is limited (whether by deities or destiny), or whether choice and destiny destiny), or whether choice and destiny can somehow coexist. can somehow coexist.

MacbethMacbeth also raised thorny also raised thorny questions about morality’s relationship questions about morality’s relationship to free will: should an individual be held to free will: should an individual be held accountable or responsible for the accountable or responsible for the consequences of an action he or she consequences of an action he or she didn’t mean to take? didn’t mean to take?

Can life be meaningful if our choices Can life be meaningful if our choices aren’t ours to make? aren’t ours to make?

Should we try to resist our human Should we try to resist our human nature (if it’s even possible)? nature (if it’s even possible)?

Is a talented artist still worthy of Is a talented artist still worthy of respect if a divine being guided her hand respect if a divine being guided her hand – or even simply provided conditions that – or even simply provided conditions that allowed her to take advantage of her allowed her to take advantage of her talents? talents?

Should she be rewarded if her Should she be rewarded if her actions aren’t completely free? actions aren’t completely free?

These relationships between action These relationships between action and reward, between choice and and reward, between choice and consequence, provide a bunch of the consequence, provide a bunch of the course’s framework because the Search course’s framework because the Search for Human Potential requires a Searcher for Human Potential requires a Searcher to consider the point of said Search before to consider the point of said Search before embarking on it. embarking on it.

To look for human potential is to To look for human potential is to examine the possible, maybe even the examine the possible, maybe even the probable, but not necessarily the actual: probable, but not necessarily the actual: it’s about figuring out it’s about figuring out whatwhat to want, then to want, then howhow to get it. to get it.

Siddhartha, Tom, Macbeth, even Carl Siddhartha, Tom, Macbeth, even Carl Frederickson from Frederickson from Up Up – each have some – each have some idea of what they’re looking for, but each idea of what they’re looking for, but each eventually discovers – for good or for ill – eventually discovers – for good or for ill – that they want something else. that they want something else.

And if you look closely enough, And if you look closely enough, you’ll notice each character ends up you’ll notice each character ends up hungering for two things: the freedom to hungering for two things: the freedom to do what they want (personal satisfaction do what they want (personal satisfaction of desire) and the chance to connect of desire) and the chance to connect with other humans (interpersonal with other humans (interpersonal satisfaction of desire). satisfaction of desire).

That combination of choice and That combination of choice and connection gives them purpose, and connection gives them purpose, and removes it when one or both of those removes it when one or both of those things go missing (Siddhartha turns to things go missing (Siddhartha turns to gambling and wine, Tom ambles gambling and wine, Tom ambles downstairs to buy Twinkies and whiskey downstairs to buy Twinkies and whiskey in his robe, Macbeth goes on a killing in his robe, Macbeth goes on a killing spree, and Carl sits miserably beside an spree, and Carl sits miserably beside an empty chair in an empty house). empty chair in an empty house).

In many ways, BeowulfIn many ways, Beowulf is no is no different: he, too, seems to need different: he, too, seems to need freedom and people in equal freedom and people in equal measure. measure.

But the poem has a very But the poem has a very interesting spin on a lot of things interesting spin on a lot of things we’ve previously touched on this we’ve previously touched on this year. year.

Take, for example, social Take, for example, social hierarchies and societies. hierarchies and societies.

We’ve already studied several, We’ve already studied several, from Siddhartha’s village to from Siddhartha’s village to Macbeth’s Scotland. Macbeth’s Scotland.

But we’ve really only looked at But we’ve really only looked at characters who, for one reason or characters who, for one reason or another, end up as bad fits within another, end up as bad fits within those systems: the elderly Carl those systems: the elderly Carl being forced into a nursing home, being forced into a nursing home, or a younger Tom compromising his or a younger Tom compromising his ambitions and getting stuck in a ambitions and getting stuck in a dead-end greeting card job, where dead-end greeting card job, where he manufactures emotions he can’t he manufactures emotions he can’t really feel anymore. really feel anymore.

With Beowulf, we’ll study With Beowulf, we’ll study someone who embodies his someone who embodies his culture’s values instead of clashing culture’s values instead of clashing with them, and who reaps a great with them, and who reaps a great deal of glory and renown as a deal of glory and renown as a result.result.

As an ancient warrior, Beowulf belongs to As an ancient warrior, Beowulf belongs to a patriarchal meritocracy. The men rule the a patriarchal meritocracy. The men rule the state, fight to defend it, etc., and rise on the state, fight to defend it, etc., and rise on the basis of their accomplishments (as well as basis of their accomplishments (as well as those of their fathers). The principles behind a those of their fathers). The principles behind a meritocracy are fairly simple:meritocracy are fairly simple:

All humans make choices.All humans make choices.In most situations, human beings will In most situations, human beings will

make the right choices.make the right choices.In some situations, one or more right In some situations, one or more right

choices and one or more wrong choices will be choices and one or more wrong choices will be available; individuals will have reasons for available; individuals will have reasons for making both correct and incorrect choices. making both correct and incorrect choices.

Individuals who resist the temptations of Individuals who resist the temptations of bad choices and consistently make wise ones bad choices and consistently make wise ones will be rewarded for their will be rewarded for their virtuesvirtues – which are, – which are, of course, demonstrated by their choices. of course, demonstrated by their choices.

Now look closer. Now look closer. A meritocracy purports to A meritocracy purports to

reward one thing: virtue. reward one thing: virtue. We may claim to care about the We may claim to care about the

end result of something more than end result of something more than the motivation behind it, but we the motivation behind it, but we dodo value that motivation greatly. value that motivation greatly.

If someone gives you a genuine If someone gives you a genuine compliment, and another person compliment, and another person gives you that same compliment gives you that same compliment later in order to manipulate you later in order to manipulate you into liking them more, we could into liking them more, we could claim that they’ve done the same claim that they’ve done the same thing.thing.

But in your eyes, those But in your eyes, those actions certainly aren’t actions certainly aren’t equivalent. equivalent.

The thing that distinguishes The thing that distinguishes them – motivation – gives them them – motivation – gives them meaning, because we believe meaning, because we believe that those motivations reflect that those motivations reflect the “core” of a person. the “core” of a person.

In theory, meritocracies In theory, meritocracies function the same way, and for function the same way, and for the same reason: to reward a the same reason: to reward a man for his goodness.man for his goodness.

But they can’t function that way. But they can’t function that way.

Who walks around in today’s Who walks around in today’s society measuring virtue – society measuring virtue – capabilities, capacity for goodness, capabilities, capacity for goodness, or potential, really, since that’s all or potential, really, since that’s all undemonstrated virtue really is? undemonstrated virtue really is?

We measure action, not virtue. We measure action, not virtue.

As a culture (or a mishmash of As a culture (or a mishmash of different ones), we’ve learned to different ones), we’ve learned to obsess over actions, deeds, obsess over actions, deeds, resultsresults, , even at the expense of caring about even at the expense of caring about what someone what someone couldcould do. do.

It’s why so many of my students, It’s why so many of my students, whether my freshmen in years past or my whether my freshmen in years past or my seniors from this year, list a desired grade seniors from this year, list a desired grade as one of the primary things they want out as one of the primary things they want out of my class on their of my class on their Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations assignment: the grade represents a assignment: the grade represents a tangible demonstration of their tangible demonstration of their capabilities. capabilities.

An A isn’t meant to just be some An A isn’t meant to just be some letter: it’s a reaffirmation to the larger letter: it’s a reaffirmation to the larger world that Student X is an exceptional Y. world that Student X is an exceptional Y.

It’s also why Kamala is less It’s also why Kamala is less concerned with Siddhartha’s potential for concerned with Siddhartha’s potential for greatness and more concerned with greatness and more concerned with whether he can pull himself together and whether he can pull himself together and wear nice clothes like a proper gentleman. wear nice clothes like a proper gentleman.

And that’s all well and good, really.And that’s all well and good, really. I care less about whether you’re intelligent I care less about whether you’re intelligent

than about whether you a) actually learned than about whether you a) actually learned something and b) were able to use what you something and b) were able to use what you learned.learned.

On the other hand, if I made it impossible On the other hand, if I made it impossible for you to learn, it’s not exactly fair for me to for you to learn, it’s not exactly fair for me to condemn you for your failure. condemn you for your failure.

This is why Gladwell spends the bulk of This is why Gladwell spends the bulk of Outliers Outliers savaging what he sees as deeply flawed savaging what he sees as deeply flawed excuses for modern meritocracies.excuses for modern meritocracies.

By his arguments, we shouldn’t spend our By his arguments, we shouldn’t spend our time reflexively praising the advantaged or time reflexively praising the advantaged or condemning the handicapped; doing either condemning the handicapped; doing either presupposes we live in a society that provides presupposes we live in a society that provides people with equal opportunities, and Gladwell’s people with equal opportunities, and Gladwell’s able to show – fairly convincing – that on a lot of able to show – fairly convincing – that on a lot of levels, we really don’t.levels, we really don’t.

Beowulf’sBeowulf’s meritocracy, on the other meritocracy, on the other hand, is somewhat purer. hand, is somewhat purer.

True, it’s not always fun to be held True, it’s not always fun to be held responsible for choices you never made; responsible for choices you never made; I’m not sure how many of you would enjoy I’m not sure how many of you would enjoy being accountable for actions your fathers being accountable for actions your fathers took.took.

But the system we see in But the system we see in BeowulfBeowulf not not only follows the aforementioned only follows the aforementioned “meritocracy principles,” but makes the “meritocracy principles,” but makes the distinction between “good” and “bad” distinction between “good” and “bad” choices exceptionally clear. choices exceptionally clear.

You almost always know exactly what You almost always know exactly what to do in order to earn a reward, and to do in order to earn a reward, and almost always know how you be punished almost always know how you be punished if you choose unwisely.if you choose unwisely.

Gladwell doesn’t like that we deny people Gladwell doesn’t like that we deny people opportunities for arbitrary reasons, and neither opportunities for arbitrary reasons, and neither do I…but honestly, Beowulf’s society doesn’t do I…but honestly, Beowulf’s society doesn’t really have that problem.really have that problem.

They don’t have the equivalent of our They don’t have the equivalent of our college admissions system, where you can college admissions system, where you can spend a childhood working towards a goal, spend a childhood working towards a goal, fulfilling every prerequisite that’s asked of you, fulfilling every prerequisite that’s asked of you, only to be denied a rightful place at the table only to be denied a rightful place at the table because the school doesn’t have the money to because the school doesn’t have the money to make room for you. make room for you.

In Beowulf’s time, if you thought you In Beowulf’s time, if you thought you could fight, trust me – you’d be given the could fight, trust me – you’d be given the chance to prove it.chance to prove it.

And Beowulf’s entire involvement in the And Beowulf’s entire involvement in the business that goes down at Heorot Hall is a business that goes down at Heorot Hall is a combination of repaying societal/familial combination of repaying societal/familial obligations and the satisfaction of personal obligations and the satisfaction of personal desires – the combination of interpersonal desires – the combination of interpersonal connections and personal choice, in other connections and personal choice, in other words. words.

When it comes to those personal choices, When it comes to those personal choices, we’re taught – and we teach – some very basic we’re taught – and we teach – some very basic lessons. lessons.

For the most part, we teach our children For the most part, we teach our children that our choices determine our actions – that that our choices determine our actions – that most things don’t “just happen,” or happen by most things don’t “just happen,” or happen by mistake. mistake.

After we make it clear to our kids that they After we make it clear to our kids that they can decide, and that their decisions determine can decide, and that their decisions determine what they do, we also make it clear that the what they do, we also make it clear that the things they do have consequences; the easy things they do have consequences; the easy follow-up lesson, of course, is for them to follow-up lesson, of course, is for them to consider the consequences of their actions consider the consequences of their actions before deciding to act.before deciding to act.

Ultimately, we urge our children to make Ultimately, we urge our children to make choices that improve their lives, that improve the choices that improve their lives, that improve the lives of friends and family members, and that lives of friends and family members, and that benefit our society and environment. benefit our society and environment.

We teach these things because We teach these things because we’ve been taught they’re valuable. we’ve been taught they’re valuable.

But you can see that these But you can see that these teachings rest on the assumption that teachings rest on the assumption that we live in a universe in which choices we live in a universe in which choices matter, in which free will reigns matter, in which free will reigns supreme. supreme.

That doesn’t go for all things, as That doesn’t go for all things, as we act instinctually or automatically we act instinctually or automatically in many ways. in many ways.

Obviously, you don’t have to Obviously, you don’t have to choose to breathe, or to make your choose to breathe, or to make your heart beat at a certain rate; those heart beat at a certain rate; those things are just unconscious responses things are just unconscious responses to stimuli. to stimuli.

Yet those silly examples perfectly Yet those silly examples perfectly illustrate why we think choices illustrate why we think choices shouldshould have value: we don’t much like the have value: we don’t much like the idea that we’re pawns, that we’re idea that we’re pawns, that we’re carrying out actions like automatons. carrying out actions like automatons.

Choice is what allows the “actor” Choice is what allows the “actor” (i.e., the person making the decision) (i.e., the person making the decision) to do something that exceeds/differs to do something that exceeds/differs from an automatic response: we from an automatic response: we believe we’re superior to other believe we’re superior to other animals because animals because wewe can govern our can govern our instincts.instincts.

But…well, there’s always a But…well, there’s always a “but…”. We’ll examine this more in “but…”. We’ll examine this more in January.January.

When most people crack When most people crack BeowulfBeowulf open for the first time, they’re open for the first time, they’re arrested by the plot. arrested by the plot.

It’s not a complicated one, but it’s It’s not a complicated one, but it’s pretty thrilling in its own right, with pretty thrilling in its own right, with several battles against demons and several battles against demons and dragons that (thanks to Heaney) dragons that (thanks to Heaney) translate translate extremelyextremely well to standard well to standard English. English.

On some level, it’s easy to On some level, it’s easy to recognize the whole chronicle as one recognize the whole chronicle as one long struggle of good against evil.long struggle of good against evil.

But that, I feel, misses the point But that, I feel, misses the point somewhat.somewhat.

Beowulf Beowulf is a tale that greatly is a tale that greatly rewards moral examinations, rewards moral examinations, particularly if you’re aware of the particularly if you’re aware of the values and traditions of the time.values and traditions of the time.

The first two lines set the tone for The first two lines set the tone for the entire poem: planting us in the the entire poem: planting us in the distant past, remembering courage and distant past, remembering courage and greatness (greatness (note this carefullynote this carefully). ).

We also know that we have We also know that we have “heard” of their “heroic campaigns,” a “heard” of their “heroic campaigns,” a quick nod to the oral traditions of the quick nod to the oral traditions of the dominant culture and a reminder that dominant culture and a reminder that one’s reputation was of paramount one’s reputation was of paramount importance. importance.

After all, what are legends but After all, what are legends but stories of men with larger-than-life stories of men with larger-than-life reputations?reputations?

Our first figure, Shield Sheafson, is Our first figure, Shield Sheafson, is a “god cyning” – a “good king.” a “god cyning” – a “good king.”

One of the things that marks him One of the things that marks him as such is his practice of making people as such is his practice of making people “pay tribute,” and if you’re wondering “pay tribute,” and if you’re wondering why this is a good thing, know that this why this is a good thing, know that this was an expected part of the social was an expected part of the social contract. contract.

The king provided leadership, The king provided leadership, protection, and stability for his people: protection, and stability for his people: the population could trust that he knew the population could trust that he knew what he was doing (he sat on a throne what he was doing (he sat on a throne because God chose him), and that he because God chose him), and that he wouldn’t involve them in dangerous wouldn’t involve them in dangerous conflicts rashly or unnecessarily. conflicts rashly or unnecessarily.

The people provided the king with The people provided the king with the forces necessary to defend the the forces necessary to defend the kingdom if necessary, and gave him the kingdom if necessary, and gave him the wealth necessary to keep its economy wealth necessary to keep its economy humming (which, in turn, removed humming (which, in turn, removed some of the incentive to wage war for some of the incentive to wage war for resources: it was easier to trade resources: it was easier to trade regularly for what you needed than to regularly for what you needed than to storm the borders of a strong rival). storm the borders of a strong rival).

This wasn’t just true of the tributes This wasn’t just true of the tributes the king collected, either. the king collected, either.

During wars, the losing army would During wars, the losing army would (at a minimum) need to pay (at a minimum) need to pay substantially in defeat. substantially in defeat.

Rather than hoard the treasure for Rather than hoard the treasure for his own use, the king shared the spoils his own use, the king shared the spoils of victory – and tribute – with his of victory – and tribute – with his subjects. subjects.

In fact, kings were called “ring-In fact, kings were called “ring-givers” because of the rewards and givers” because of the rewards and titles they shared and bestowed on titles they shared and bestowed on loyal subjects. loyal subjects.

If you fought bravely, the kingdom If you fought bravely, the kingdom would prosper and you’d receive what would prosper and you’d receive what was your due – and because you’d was your due – and because you’d receive what was your due, you’d fight receive what was your due, you’d fight to the death to defend the one who to the death to defend the one who ruled you so justly and fairly. ruled you so justly and fairly.

As you can see, both subjects and rulers As you can see, both subjects and rulers entered into complicated relationships, both entered into complicated relationships, both giving and receiving simultaneously. giving and receiving simultaneously.

A bad king hoards treasure, or spends it A bad king hoards treasure, or spends it wildly and poorly, or endangers his people wildly and poorly, or endangers his people needlessly or dishonestly. needlessly or dishonestly.

In rare cases, a king could fail the way In rare cases, a king could fail the way Macbeth would have failed – not through Macbeth would have failed – not through moral compromise, but through his inability moral compromise, but through his inability to sire a son. to sire a son.

When this happened, the king would When this happened, the king would need to establish a clear line of succession need to establish a clear line of succession outside of his family; neighboring nations outside of his family; neighboring nations would surely test the new ruler, who wouldn’t would surely test the new ruler, who wouldn’t have had time to establish a familial dynasty have had time to establish a familial dynasty of his own, so the king needed to choose of his own, so the king needed to choose veryvery wisely. wisely.

In In Beowulf,Beowulf, we’ll see all kinds of we’ll see all kinds of kings – the good, the bad, the kings – the good, the bad, the doomed, the dead – and with every doomed, the dead – and with every one, we find ourselves looking at our one, we find ourselves looking at our own leadership. own leadership.

Regardless of your political Regardless of your political persuasion, no one can argue that we persuasion, no one can argue that we haven’t abandoned this compact. haven’t abandoned this compact.

These societies functioned on the These societies functioned on the basis of trust, courage, and basis of trust, courage, and selflessness. selflessness.

How many years has it been since How many years has it been since we’ve been able to apply those terms we’ve been able to apply those terms to our upper political class?to our upper political class?

We have lost, perhaps, more than We have lost, perhaps, more than we readily realize. we readily realize.

Before Shield passes on, he sires Before Shield passes on, he sires a single son – Beow, who has no a single son – Beow, who has no relation to Beowulf. relation to Beowulf.

We see Beow’s birth as the We see Beow’s birth as the reward for a suffering people, as the reward for a suffering people, as the Danes’ hardships had stemmed from Danes’ hardships had stemmed from a lack of leadership before Shield a lack of leadership before Shield began filling the void. (Remember began filling the void. (Remember this!) this!)

Shield and Beow also provide us Shield and Beow also provide us with the “beginning” of our family with the “beginning” of our family tree – a source for the text’s twin tree – a source for the text’s twin fixations on lineage and reputation.fixations on lineage and reputation.

Finally, we see why good behavior is Finally, we see why good behavior is important, and not just because kings could important, and not just because kings could earn tribute that way: “Behaviour that’s earn tribute that way: “Behaviour that’s admired/is the path to power among people admired/is the path to power among people everywhere.”everywhere.”

We begin the poem in earnest, however, We begin the poem in earnest, however, with Shield’s funeral – the death of the “good with Shield’s funeral – the death of the “good king” (Foreshadowing!). king” (Foreshadowing!).

Afterwards, we see his people thrive Afterwards, we see his people thrive under the rule of his descendantsunder the rule of his descendants

And Beow, like his father, sires a single And Beow, like his father, sires a single son, Halfdane, who then fathers four children son, Halfdane, who then fathers four children of his own (Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and of his own (Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter). an unnamed daughter).

Thus we see that by having a single son, Thus we see that by having a single son, Shield’s ultimately stabilized his nation and Shield’s ultimately stabilized his nation and done the last thing a good king has to do.done the last thing a good king has to do.

This takes us to the “present” This takes us to the “present” day, when Hrothgar (whose name day, when Hrothgar (whose name means a combination of “spear” and means a combination of “spear” and “glory”), Halfdane’s second son, has “glory”), Halfdane’s second son, has taken the throne. taken the throne.

He is a good king, and “the He is a good king, and “the fortunes of war favor him”; with the fortunes of war favor him”; with the spoils of successful warfare, Hrothgar spoils of successful warfare, Hrothgar builds Heorot Hall – the greatest hall builds Heorot Hall – the greatest hall around! around!

He marries Wealhtheow, an He marries Wealhtheow, an intelligent and virtuous woman who intelligent and virtuous woman who serves as an excellent queen, and the serves as an excellent queen, and the two of them have three children. two of them have three children.

By building a hall, continuing his By building a hall, continuing his family line, and ruling judiciously, family line, and ruling judiciously, Hrothgar has done everything he can Hrothgar has done everything he can to provide his nation with a future. to provide his nation with a future.

But nothing can come so easily to But nothing can come so easily to the Shieldings. the Shieldings.

Heorot is soon besieged by a Heorot is soon besieged by a terrifying creature named Grendel, terrifying creature named Grendel, which attacks by night and murders which attacks by night and murders Hrothgrar’s men. Hrothgrar’s men.

The king proves unable to stop The king proves unable to stop the attacks, and as the killings the attacks, and as the killings continue for the next twelve years, his continue for the next twelve years, his citizens grow demoralized and fearful. citizens grow demoralized and fearful.

Grendel is quite the interesting villain, Grendel is quite the interesting villain, and not only because books showing these and not only because books showing these events from his perspective have popped events from his perspective have popped up over the years. up over the years.

Careful readers notice that the Careful readers notice that the residents of Heorot Hall don’t do anything residents of Heorot Hall don’t do anything to intentionally antagonize him; the sound to intentionally antagonize him; the sound of music and celebration that emanate from of music and celebration that emanate from the hall infuriate him until he snaps and the hall infuriate him until he snaps and attacks. attacks.

That seems like pretty flimsy That seems like pretty flimsy justification for slaughtering warriors and justification for slaughtering warriors and striking fear in the hearts of all who striking fear in the hearts of all who survive, and the OEP uses Grendel to survive, and the OEP uses Grendel to symbolize sin and wickedness; Beowulf’s symbolize sin and wickedness; Beowulf’s victory over him is supposed to represent victory over him is supposed to represent the triumph of God’s will over evil. the triumph of God’s will over evil.

But the question of whether But the question of whether Grendel is evil or not is a little Grendel is evil or not is a little thornier. thornier.

He commits some truly horrific He commits some truly horrific murders when he storms Heorot, and murders when he storms Heorot, and torments its citizens for twelve years torments its citizens for twelve years before Beowulf defeats him. before Beowulf defeats him.

However, it’s worth noting – as However, it’s worth noting – as the OEP ever-so-slightly does – that the OEP ever-so-slightly does – that Grendel was cursed by God because of Grendel was cursed by God because of his family’s legacy, not because of his his family’s legacy, not because of his own actions. own actions.

In fact, Grendel was punished In fact, Grendel was punished long before he even had the chance to long before he even had the chance to do anything wrong.do anything wrong.

His distant ancestor, Cain, killed His distant ancestor, Cain, killed his own brother – and his descendants his own brother – and his descendants have paid for that original sin through have paid for that original sin through continued banishment. continued banishment.

He’s even been twisted into He’s even been twisted into something inhuman – a symbol of his something inhuman – a symbol of his family’s past, but not of his actions. family’s past, but not of his actions.

So Grendel, who had done nothing So Grendel, who had done nothing wrong, was born as something warped wrong, was born as something warped and removed from any semblance of and removed from any semblance of society, then forced to listen over and society, then forced to listen over and over again to sounds of happiness and over again to sounds of happiness and togetherness – the very things he’d togetherness – the very things he’d been unfairly denied.been unfairly denied.

Note that this isn’t to excuse his Note that this isn’t to excuse his actions; murder is murder.actions; murder is murder.

But just as we did with Macbeth’s But just as we did with Macbeth’s killings, it’s important to explain and killings, it’s important to explain and give context to why they happen.give context to why they happen.

And if we’re going to demand free And if we’re going to demand free will in order to be justly rewarded for will in order to be justly rewarded for our actions, if we’re going to stand with our actions, if we’re going to stand with Gladwell in condemning flawed systems Gladwell in condemning flawed systems that place people in positions where that place people in positions where they’re destined to turn out worse than they’re destined to turn out worse than they should, if we’re going to demand they should, if we’re going to demand that we be judged on our own merits and that we be judged on our own merits and not those of our fathers, mothers, not those of our fathers, mothers, sisters, or brothers…sisters, or brothers…

……then perhaps, as with then perhaps, as with Macbeth,Macbeth, it’s useful to have a little sympathy for it’s useful to have a little sympathy for the devil here.the devil here.