Beowulf Poem and Movie Comparison
Beowulf an epic poem set in scandinavia and one of the longest epic poems written in Old English. This poem has been a high achievement of Old English poetry and has been written in different verses and incorporated into a movie. They base on the hero Beowulf a man who has the strength of 30 men, a hero of the geats who travels overseas to aid Hrothgar king of the Danes. The danes are under attack of a monster named grendel. After defeating grendel, beowulf encountered other obstacles through the story. Even though it's all based on the original epic there are so many differences between the movie Beowulf and the epic poem. The epic poem, is too boring for modern, sophisticated audiences, so hollywood established the story. Pagan and Christian perspectives. In the movie, Hrothgar and his Danes are pagan. Later, Unferth goes to Hrothgar to see if they should pray to God. Hrothgar had said no. The
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non heroic values. In the movie, Beowulf struggles to keep true characteristics of a hero. He lies about the fact that he killed Grendel's mother. When instead he actually had an adulterous rendezvous with her and also with his queen’s handmaid. The epic expresses Beowulf having true heroic ethics and actions. When he follows the rule of the anglo saxons refinement. Every description that described Beowulf explains him to be a true hero.
Murdering of the dragon. In the movie and the poem Beowulf dies slaying the dragon. What differs is the relationship between the dragon and Beowulf. The movie describes the dragon as Beowulf's son, born due to his affair with grendel's mom. The dragon in the movie represents failure. Beowulf feels that it is necessary to kill the dragon, but by taking down his son he also took his life doing it. The Epic, explains that the dragon attempts to attack the geats but has nothing in relation to Beowulf. All the dragon is an enemy that Beowulf has to face to complete his dream of dying a
Another thing is how the dragon is not Beowulf’s son and grendel is not Hrothgar’s son. All these little details make a big difference because someone who only read the book and later decides to see the movie they will get confused as to what is going on and how come they never mentioned it in the
The idea of a hero is explored differently in the ancient Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf and John Gardner’s Grendel. During the time period of both of the stories being a hero is very important to everyone. Beowulf is not a true hero, even if he tries to make himself out to seem like a true hero, based on modern ideas of the Hero. In the poem Beowulf being a hero is very important to the main character Beowulf.
The hero in the epic poem Beowulf is the main character, Beowulf. He demonstrates heroic qualities as soon as the readers are introduced to his character. Beowulf proves himself to be courageous and brave by voluntarily fighting the “undefeatable” monster, Grendel. He is greatly admired by both the Danes and Geats for his courageous acts. Although his motivation is altered to only benefit himself with the title of the greatest warrior, his plan to save the Danes is greatly appreciated by all in the land.
Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.
In the movie, however, the fire-breathing dragon was actually the son of Beowulf. Both plots were built up in very interesting and unique ways, but it is true that they are not the same in most aspects of the
Beowulf is telling us that he doesn’t value the lives of his citizen, but instead values glory and is willing to fight for it. In the end, Beowulf slays the dragon but paid his life as the price. In conclusion, Beowulf would be considered a great warrior, but not a hero. Although Beowulf accomplished many heroic deeds he never did any of them for the right reasons. Therefore, Beowulf is not a hero, but only a warrior who values renown and rewards.
In the movie the dragon, which is Beowulf’s son, get angry when a slave finds the dragon cup that Beowulf had given Grendel’s mother. In the movie Beowulf and Wiglaf go to face the dragon alone; when they get to the cave Beowulf enters alone the dragon chases them back and there is a bunch of men shooting at it. Beowulf eventually kills the dragon because he found a spot on the throat of the dragon that was told to him by the former king years ago. The movie and the poem of Beowulf had very many differences. There are a lot more differences between the two that you would have thought.
How is the movie and textbook version of Beowulf different? Accordingly, to the movie and textbook version of Beowulf they share particular differences that may change your perspective of all the characters. In the movie Grendel began attacking Herot Hall; however, in the textbook he started off attacking the many people who lived in the village. In the textbook Grendel’s mother was considered a hideous a gorgeous monster who lived in a dungeon in the forest. In the textbook Beowulf’s arm was cut off casing his death, even though, in the movie Beowulf’s death was caused by the dragon fire breath.
The similarities of the movie and poem are only a few. However they are; the people in Denmark expected Beowulf’s help, when he was coming Beowulf came on ship with his Geats. After Beowulf killed, he went to look for his mother. When he battle with Grendel's mother, there were some similarities from the movie and in the epic poem. Beowulf found and fought in the mountains, in a dark, muggy craves.
The film and epic poem Beowulf may seem alike because of their similar plots and characters, but when looked at deeper, it is clear that their cultural differences set them apart. Traditionally, epic poems are lengthy stories that praise the deeds of heroic warriors whilst reflecting the brutal reality of life. They expressed cultural pride and teachings, while telling everyone that we are hopeless in the hands of fate; that all human ambition ends in death. In our modern world today, movies are made to entertain, but more importantly to sell and make a profit.
The story of Beowulf isn’t just any ordinary story, but a story that has been told for centuries. A story of a hero who’s legacy has been told for so long. Beowulf’s life shows the characteristics of a true epic hero. He showed bravery, he used his strength against his enemies and in the end gave the ultimate sacrifice for his people.
I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (2511-2515). In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero. Although he made risky decisions, he did them for his people. He possessed the qualities of a hero; bravery, loyalty and fearlessness.
Have you ever heard of the story Beowulf? If not, then I will be telling you the different scenarios that occurred in the movie and the book. Beowulf is about a heroic fellow who saves a kingdom from a magical named Grendel. He went through numerous of battles between Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. In this essay I will be discussing the different event that happened in the story and the movie.
The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.