Beowulf is the longest surviving Old English poem. For many years the only way the story was told was orally, but sooner or later it was transcripted by monks during the eighth and ninth centuries. The epic poem is set in Scandinavia and mostly involves the Geats, Danes and Swedes, it was based on Christianity and Pagan beliefs. Beowulf was a Hero who fought many demons such as Grendel, Grendel’s mom and the treacherous fire breathing dragon. Beowulf was an honest and faithful King, and was well respected and honored by his people.
Not many similarities were represented in the movie in comparison to the poem. Only things that were somewhat close were the boasts, speeches and celebrations. The way Beowulf talked about himself and the confidence …show more content…
It turned out to be nothing like the epic poem. Hrothgar was a great, respectful king in the poem who maintained his status all throughout the poem, but on film they portrayed him as a fat, lazy drunk who ended up committing suicide therefore leaving Beowulf as King. Grendel’s Mom was a terrifying monster in the poem who was killed by Beowulf. In the movie she was a beautiful shape shifter who hooked up with both Hrothgar and Beowulf and lived on to lure other men to destruction. Beowulf and Grendel’s mother had an affair in the movie, which created the fire breathing dragon. Beowulf felt as if he had to kill the dragon because it reflected on all the terrible mistakes he has made, The reason he killed the dragon in the poem was because he wanted to die fulfilling his true desire of being a wonderful King. Grendel attacks the men while they are sleeping in the poem because he is a descendent of Cain and doesn’t believe in God, so he attacks God’s people. In the movie, he attacks them during the party because of the praise to his father, Hrothgar. Not to mention, with his eardrum hanging outside of his ear, making him extremely sensitive to noise. Instead of Beowulf ripping Grendel’s arms off with his bare hands and no armor, the movie decided to present him naked and pull off Grendel’s arm with a chain. Beowulf was perceived as an honest and truthful King in the poem unlike the movie where he committed
Not many similarities were represented in the movie in comparison to the poem. Only things that were somewhat close were the boasts, speeches and celebrations. The way Beowulf talked about himself and the confidence …show more content…
It turned out to be nothing like the epic poem. Hrothgar was a great, respectful king in the poem who maintained his status all throughout the poem, but on film they portrayed him as a fat, lazy drunk who ended up committing suicide therefore leaving Beowulf as King. Grendel’s Mom was a terrifying monster in the poem who was killed by Beowulf. In the movie she was a beautiful shape shifter who hooked up with both Hrothgar and Beowulf and lived on to lure other men to destruction. Beowulf and Grendel’s mother had an affair in the movie, which created the fire breathing dragon. Beowulf felt as if he had to kill the dragon because it reflected on all the terrible mistakes he has made, The reason he killed the dragon in the poem was because he wanted to die fulfilling his true desire of being a wonderful King. Grendel attacks the men while they are sleeping in the poem because he is a descendent of Cain and doesn’t believe in God, so he attacks God’s people. In the movie, he attacks them during the party because of the praise to his father, Hrothgar. Not to mention, with his eardrum hanging outside of his ear, making him extremely sensitive to noise. Instead of Beowulf ripping Grendel’s arms off with his bare hands and no armor, the movie decided to present him naked and pull off Grendel’s arm with a chain. Beowulf was perceived as an honest and truthful King in the poem unlike the movie where he committed