They both have the element of characterization the same.
All I know is the direct answer and it would be it is different because one is your thought and one if like a document
Grendel wants his death to be viewed as an accident because he doesn't want Beowulf to receive any honor.
He tells Beowulf that he isn't victorious, because he just slipped on the blood and wasn't actively pursued by him. Also, when he is running out in the woods he screams that Beowulf's victory was an accident.
