Orphism in Grendel

Orphism

Orphism Beliefs

• Immortal Soul trapped in Impure BodyReincarnation of Souls in "grievous cycle"
• Reincarnation of Souls in "grievous cycle"
• Ascetic practices (severe self-discipline) to purify body and escape cycle of reincarnation
• Refraining from meat eating

Cyclical Imagery

• "... charging his brains with the same unrest that made him suffer last year at this time, and the year before that, and the year before that (Gardner 6)
• "Locked in the deadly progression of moon and stars" (Gardner 8). "So childhood too feels good at first, before one happens to notice the terrible sameness, age after age" (Gardner 9)
• "Locked in the deadly progression of moon and stars" (Gardner 8).
• "So childhood too feels good at first, before one happens to notice the terrible sameness, age after age" (Gardner 9)

Purification Imagery

• "It is a matter of fact that I have never killed a deer in my life and never will" (Gardner 8).
• "I move down through the darkness, burning with murderous lust, my brains raging at the sickness I can observe in myself..." (Gardner 10-11).