Final answer:
Grendel views the men's actions in war as cruel and bloodthirsty, considering himself more civilized than the men who kill for sport. Literary perspectives on war often highlight the gap between the perceived glory and the harsh reality, with heroism being overshadowed by ruthless modern warfare. The shift in vocabulary in stories like "Chickamauga" represents a change from idealized war to the recognition of its devastation.
Step-by-step explanation:
As Grendel spies on the men, his view of their actions during times of war is one of contempt and superiority. He sees the men as bloodthirsty and cruel, engaging in killing and destruction for sport or recreation. Grendel perceives himself as more civilized than the men in one significant aspect: while the men kill for sport or out of bloodlust, Grendel does not partake in such acts solely for enjoyment.
The depictions of war across different literary works frequently contrast the imagined glory with the grim reality. Sassoon's perspective on war, for example, underscores that soldiers' heroism is often rendered irrelevant by the mechanization of warfare, where survival is often due to luck rather than skill or bravery.
In such narratives, the old ideals of chivalric combat are overshadowed by the arbitrary and brutal nature of modern conflict. In "Chickamauga," the contrast between the boy's innocent view of war games and the harsh reality of a ravaged home and a dead mother highlights the naivete of those unfamiliar with war's true horrors.
The change in vocabulary associated with war and warriors from the start to the end of the story reflects a loss of innocence and reveals the stark difference between romanticized notions of battle and its tragic consequences.