The Epic Of Beowulf: Comparing The Movie To The Epic

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.

Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.

What does it mean to be a hero? Like anything else in this world, the definition of the word hero can be argued. Some may say that a hero can be passive, that is if he or she refrains from doing a certain action it makes them heroic. Others would argue that to be truly heroic the character must never turn tail and always face the obstacle head on even though he or she may die in the process. So is Beowulf a hero? Yes, Beowulf is a great epic hero, but his greatness comes only from his sword and not from his mind.

What do Achilles, King Arthur, Harry Potter, and Beowulf all have in common? They all demonstrate the qualities of epic heroes. Beowulf represents several characteristics of an epic hero and demonstrates the values of the Anglo-Saxons. He is the main character of his story, he has a main goal, he travels and fights with a group of people, and he accomplishes many valorous deeds; the values of the Anglo-Saxons are also shown through the actions of Beowulf, such as courage, loyalty, and fame. For example, when Beowulf heard a cry for help in a far off land, he answered. He fought larger than life monsters, and won. His exceptional strength proves his epic courage and heroism.

Movies and books are never the exact same, sometimes even the whole plot is changed around. In the book Beowulf the plot, characters, and setting are a lot different than they are when the movie was created. If a person watched the movie before they read the book, it may be totally confusing to read. In the book, Beowulf shows up and plans to fight with his men, then leaves to go back to his own kingdom. In the movie Beowulf, Beowulf ends up staying and becoming king of Dane Land.

In the 2007 movie, other than the setting and plot, it was totally different from the original poem, It was very entertaining but didn’t follow the original poem. Grendel’s mother was a beautiful Angelina Jolie while in the book she was very often described as a grimy slimy monster. The similarities were when Beowulf’s heroic characteristics and the severing of Grendel’s arm ; however, the movie mentioned the seductive scene of Grendel’s mother and how the product of this sin is his son the dragon, while in the text this beast is regarded as a rogue monster. As mentioned in the poem, “ Beowulf arose, with his men around him,

Beowulf is portrayed as a hero-figure, though a less-than-ideal leader, since his warrior-like tendencies and habits follow him. Conversely, the movie Beowulf portrays our hero as more of an anti-hero. By its very nature, Beowulf is an epic hero, but I do not think that the movie does not portray him as such a hero compared to the original translation, because it has an entirely different storyline. If anything, the movie portrays Beowulf as a weak person, easily swooned by the beauty of Grendel’s mother. The movie and the book differ in several key ways, including his relationship with the kingdom and his villains. Even though the general plot is the same, when you really take a deep look at the differences, Beowulf’s movie ceases to be a version of Beowulf anymore, but rather an entirely new story about the same person.

Beowulf was an immense poem about a courageous warrior - by the name of Beowulf. This warrior was brave and had a lot of confidence, which led him to act foolishly. Beowulf was respected by the people of Denmark and Sweden. Throughout the poem, Beowulf proved he was a hero by protecting the Geats and Danes, but also foolish with the beasts he defeated.

Anglo-Saxons refers to settlers from the German regions that migrated to Britain during the fall of the Roman Empire. In the story Beowulf, his actions portray him, indeed be an epic hero. Both Christianity and Paganism are both portrayed throughout the epic Beowulf. Beowulf frequently speaks of God throughout the story, while there are also many Pagan elements that are evident throughout the story as well. In addition, "It 's hard to ignore the Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf. These types of elements are what define the heroic warrior in the epic Beowulf"(Vengeance the Pagan and Christian Inspiration). Throughout the epic Beowulf, while the Anglo-Saxons followed Christianity, they had a hard time letting go of the Pagan beliefs when things got hard.

Beowulf, an epic hero who defeated monsters that plagued the land. He never shied away from a fight and always fought with honor and pride. For over 50 years he ruled facing any challenge that came his way. Beowulf's final obstacle would cause his demise. Beowulf certainly faced many challenges but his battle between the dragon, no doubt was his hardest.

Comparing the book and the movie of Beowulf, you find mostly differences. The amount of similarities between them are actually very slim. Either ranging from what is said or changing scenes completely altogether, they’re both very different from each other. Having said that, the differences need to be stated and reviewed. We will begin with the first scene in which the king is being merry and Grendel attacks the hall.

The Tale of Beowulf; the Magnificent. Upon research I discovered the comparison between the movie and the book contrast severely, however some aspects of the movie are similar. Beowulf is the epic hero- or so the poem makes him seem. He commits acts of bravery, he’s ready to fight, he’s primal, and he’s willing; all the qualities the poem gives to Beowulf.

Beowulf is a story of an epic hero from Geatland who defeats Grendel and his mother for Hrothgar and the Danes. Beowulf then becomes a king of Geatland of fifty years where he defeats a dragon at the cost of his life. Beowulf, the movie, is about the same hero who defeats Grendel; however, Beowulf fails to kill Grendel’s mom and becomes a king of the Danes. These major differences in plot, yet the same beginnings is what leads into this comparison between the book and the movie.

Beowulf is the Geat son of Ecgtheow.“He was like no other warrior and he had arm strength greater than thirty men alone”(Beowulf. N.p). Beowulf reflects from both pagan and christianity traditions. Beowulf and his people lived in a place called heorot.

9. BEOWULF is set in a male-dominated world full of violence and danger. What role does