A Comparison Of Thor And Beowulf

Many of classic epic poems and novels have been transformed into movie films in the past decade; however, these films can easily start a devastating debate. The epic poem of Beowulf was written as an Anglo-Saxon tradition that displays loyalty, kinship, and heroism. Beowulf was a hero that murder monsters, while traveling to assist the King of Danes, Hrothgar, by destroying Grendel and his mother. In the original epic, Beowulf is described as a true hero to the kingdom of the Danes. The film displays Beowulf’s competence as a problem rather than a solution. Although both the epic poem and the movie adaption follows the same storylines, they contain similarities and differences based on the theme, courage, and different style of fighting.

Just as superheroes have weaknesses, they all have strengths too. Although it is said that Beowulf is, “…greater and stronger than anyone in this world,”

Beowulf, a legendary hero of Geatish lore, from the epic poem named after him, is the definition of a hero. There is one being who can be collated to Beowulf: the mighty Thor, god of thunder. Derived from Norse mythology, Thor is hot-headed, with an appetite for food and drink. He also is one of the strongest gods, serving as the protector of the people. Both of these characters share similar qualities in what some would define a hero, despite one being a man, and the other being a deity.

Lastly, Beowulf is brave like Superman. Beowulf and Superman are both trying to help save their areas. Beowulf is trying everything he can do to save his country including doing things

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo Saxon hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters many monsters and horrible beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are outstanding and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for glory which to him meant eternal life.

Beowulf, the defender of Hrothgar and Heorot, exhibits far more complicated (and less sincere) shades of revenge than the Grendel’s mother. At the end of the day, Beowulf’s goal is to become the preeminent warrior in all the land. In his society, the only way to gain such widespread celebrity is through courageous and self-endangering acts. Beowulf masks these deeds with a façade of seeking revenge; he supposedly comes to Heorot to save the Danes from Grendel’s terror, but his true motives lie in becoming a hero. His reward is not the pride of doing a good deed; Beowulf is rewarded with lavish and expensive gifts.

Reading through Beowulf I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer’s Odyssey. While the Odyssey and Beowulf are each examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf’s hero seem to fit better within its context.

Heroes, from Beowulf to Superman our cultures have always created heroes. We may always have political, social, economic and religious differences, but at the end of the day we all have one thing in common, heroes. They help define who we are and what we want to be. They give us hope and inspire us to head in the right direction. They show us that good will always triumph over evil and that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Heroes give us the inspiration we need to overcome problems in our own lives and that is why we create them. Beowulf perfectly embodies the idea of a hero. He defeats the evil Grendel and his mother, slays the dragon and saves his people. He is

Beowulf and Achilles both had accomplished momentous feats during their lifetimes. Beowulf was a young, strong hero who accepted the challenge to save Herot from the monster, Grendel, terrorizing the citizens. Beowulf fought Grendel in hand to hand combat, and won, but he then had to face Grendel’s mom. Beowulf once again saved Herot with a bloody battle, and he became to ruler. On

Modern day people created superhero as character fighting criminal in order to protect the wellbeing of their civilians. Beowulf is a anglo-saxon hero showing many traits as a modern day superhero. His bravery, selfless, and boasting makes him the true and first anglo-saxon hero. Fighting villains to ensure the safety of others having no fear also showing no care about his own safety show that he is a true hero. Beowulf exemplifies himself as a anglo-saxon hero showing his bravery and confidence by fighting Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon in order to protect his people from devastation.

Grendel is a monster that seems to cause evil; he is given no direct look and very little personality. He seems to go after evil; he would kill somebody without having any mercy. He can’t be reasoned with. Beowulf is described as a hero and who is very cocky, would do anything for some fame and recognition. Beowulf would stand up to monsters or anyone in his way.

Because of this, Beowulf is painted as the hero who saves the Danes from disaster. He is described as a superhuman with incredible and cunning personality with great comebacks, seen through his conversations with Unferth. While Grendel is made out to be an isolated

Beowulf has many themes throughout the story but the three that stand out most is good/evil, heaven/hell, and strength/skill. These connect with today’s modern humanity and society because because we have challenges in life and some seek to the gods and hope for strength to overcome our “monsters”.

The description of Beowulf’s strength is obviously done from a pagan perspective, he’s seen as an unstoppable force, power which is unmatched by anyone else in the world. During the battle with Grendel his strength is made clear when Beowulf grabs Grendel for the first time, “The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth” (Lines 749-752). Beowulf’s audacity and belief in himself as a warrior were also pagan, he chose to confront Grendel himself, unarmed, only using his strength as his weapon, no swords or shields to protect him. An 8th century superman if you

Mindless creatures who blindly walk with cricks in their necks from staring down at their new cutting-edge electronics is what describes the current generation. The twenty-first century is focused around technological advances and social status based on the accumulation of items, which influences the society. On the contrary, the fifth and sixth centuries was a simpler time filled with valiant warriors defending their community and their king. The society reflects these values and Beowulf symbolizes this era and its aspects very accurately. The epic of Beowulf is structured around oral writing, the concept of comitatus, Pagan-Christian tension, and warriors.