In the narrative epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf, the great Anglo-Saxon hero, engages in three main battles. Beowulf approaches each of these three battles in a different way and with a different strategy in mind. These three battles are: Beowulf fighting against Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon. In the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, the battle between Grendel and Beowulf is told through the eyes of Grendel. Throughout the story new heroes emerge to take the place of old ones. There is a cycle between heroes and villains that takes place.

The epic poem Beowulf begins with Grendel- a lonely, existentialist; monster that thinks it is up to ones self to live- plundering and destroying Hrothgar's kingdom. Hrothgar is the king of the Danes and was a powerful king, but is now too old to take care of Grendel. Hrothgar can't find any way to stop Grendel and...