This essay describes the use of humor in the novel Grendel.

Grendel has a sarcastic and cynical mind, which serves to entertain both him and the reader. Through his expositions of situations, we see humor where others would simply see violence, and irony where others only fact. These others are the humans, the Danes, unwitting neighbors of Grendel, forced to stand night after night of slaughter. What is a traumatic and terrifying experience for them, is simply a game to Grendel, and the reader. Grendel bursts …

…imperfections. Killing him would have been unsatisfying, and would not have allowed Grendel his victory. In using humor, Grendel has marked a person, a human being. It is his victory because he has finally connected with someone, his opposite. Even the fact that the battle is through humor presents a part of the victory. He does not need to use the hero's methods, but uses his own. his words and wit, to win the battle.