The role of storytelling is significant as it highlights the personalities and specific traits of important characters. Narration can also drive the plot, as seen in Homer's Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid. These epic poems are based on the story of the protagonist's journey. However, Grendel, written by John Gardner, uses narration differently. The main character bases his self-understanding on the narration given by the Shaper, a blind bard who tells historical stories. The purpose of narrative in the works of Gardner, Homer, and Virgil is to personify the protagonist in what he does to truly define himself. In John Gardner's Grendel, the Shaper is an important character who helps move the plot historically. During the first meeting between the monster and the humans, Grendel learns of the stories and tales that the Shaper is singing about in Hrothgar's mead hall. Throughout the story the Shaper recounts Danish history and the creation of man's existence and Grendel is fascinated by it. After hearing the Shaper's stories, Grendel begins to realize that what he is saying is not true: "I too have crawled away, my mind swimming in ringing, magnificent, golden phrases, and all, incredibly, lies," and begins to wonder what is true and what is not (Gardner 43). The Shaper's eloquent tales had a great effect on Grendel: “It told of an ancient feud between two brothers that divided the world between darkness and light. And I, Grendel, was the dark side...I believed him! Such was the power of the Shaper's harp! (Gardner 52). Gardner's writing of Grendel sheds light on a whole new side of Grendel, in contrast to Beowulf's monstrousness; so much so that we can see a division in G...... in the center of the paper... they have made their journey. There are clear similarities between all three literary pieces in the essence of how significant the narrative is in personifying the protagonists. Gardner's use of narrative in Grendel relates to Homer's Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid in a historical sense as the early literary works are founded on the use of narrative as instilling the protagonist's moral values ​​and what they did to define themselves. Grendel understands the meaning of his life, through the Shaper's beliefs and the dragon's philosophies, and ultimately discovers his identity. Works Cited Gardner, John. Grendel. 1971. New York: Vintage, 1989. Print.Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. 8th ed. New York:Norton, 2006. Print.----. "Homer." Lawall 100-106. Homer. The Odyssey. Lawall 206-495.