Beowulf’s funeral is represented in the poem with strong Christian values connecting the
hero with the story of Jesus Christ by ties seen between the burial of both characters, their twelve
followers, and their dedication to God; however the film’s adaptation of the scene narrows in on
pagan concepts and ideals, more specifically the culture and religion of the Vikings as well as the
degradation of Christianity through Unferth’s position as a Christian figure. In the poem,
Beowulf lies in the aftermath of the great clash with the dragon, Wiglaf hurriedly brings Beowulf
the treasure acquired from the dragon’s lair. Beowulf, through whatever voice he could muster,
says “I thank Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth” (59). …show more content…
After he spoke his final words he departed the mortal world and “flew to glory” (59). A
connection can be made to Beowulf’s glorious departure into the afterlife with Christ’s ascension
into heaven after his resurrection. With Beowulf dead, Wiglaf fulfilled his lord’s final wishes by
ordering the construction of Beowulf’s grave. Like Jesus sealed in his tomb, Beowulf’s men
“sealed his ashes in walls” (59). Another connection between Jesus and Beowulf occurs when
“twelve of the bravest Geats/Rode their horses around the tower” (60). The twelve Geats are
representatives of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ in the way that they tell stories and preach
of Beowulf’s actions much like the disciples did about Jesus after being inspired by the Holy
Spirit. The film’s depiction of the death and funeral of Beowulf is vastly different than that of
the poem. After tearing out the heart of the dragon, Beowulf and his foe plummet from the castle
onto the beach below. In his final moments, Beowulf sees the dragon transfigure itself into a
human body seemingly made of gold. This supernatural power of shapeshifting can be related …show more content…
Unferth’s character in the film was presented as a
man of envy, one of the seven deadly sins. It is a harsh contrast from his saint-like figure in the
funeral as he used to hate Beowulf for being stronger and more noble than he. Unferth’s jealousy
towards Beowulf is shown through his efforts to humiliate him in Herot. He recalls Beowulf’s swimming contest against Brecca and attempts to degrade his pride by reminding him of his
defeat. To further insult Beowulf, Unferth tells him “I not only doubt that you will be able to
stand for a moment against Grendel, but I doubt you will even have the belly to stay in the hall
all night.” This burning envy is born from Hrothgar’s favoritism towards Beowulf. Before
Grendel’s attacks, Hrothgar had honored Unferth as his “wisest advisor”, but with Beowulf’s
arrival the king had completely forgotten about Unferth. The poem, Beowulf, relates the hero
with the Christian figure, Jesus Christ through the representations of Beowulf’s character and
funeral; yet the film paints Beowulf as a pagan figure through his involvement in Nordic rituals
and relics as well as humiliating the ethics of Christianity by displaying a sinful character such as
Unferth as a priest of
hero with the story of Jesus Christ by ties seen between the burial of both characters, their twelve
followers, and their dedication to God; however the film’s adaptation of the scene narrows in on
pagan concepts and ideals, more specifically the culture and religion of the Vikings as well as the
degradation of Christianity through Unferth’s position as a Christian figure. In the poem,
Beowulf lies in the aftermath of the great clash with the dragon, Wiglaf hurriedly brings Beowulf
the treasure acquired from the dragon’s lair. Beowulf, through whatever voice he could muster,
says “I thank Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth” (59). …show more content…
After he spoke his final words he departed the mortal world and “flew to glory” (59). A
connection can be made to Beowulf’s glorious departure into the afterlife with Christ’s ascension
into heaven after his resurrection. With Beowulf dead, Wiglaf fulfilled his lord’s final wishes by
ordering the construction of Beowulf’s grave. Like Jesus sealed in his tomb, Beowulf’s men
“sealed his ashes in walls” (59). Another connection between Jesus and Beowulf occurs when
“twelve of the bravest Geats/Rode their horses around the tower” (60). The twelve Geats are
representatives of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ in the way that they tell stories and preach
of Beowulf’s actions much like the disciples did about Jesus after being inspired by the Holy
Spirit. The film’s depiction of the death and funeral of Beowulf is vastly different than that of
the poem. After tearing out the heart of the dragon, Beowulf and his foe plummet from the castle
onto the beach below. In his final moments, Beowulf sees the dragon transfigure itself into a
human body seemingly made of gold. This supernatural power of shapeshifting can be related …show more content…
Unferth’s character in the film was presented as a
man of envy, one of the seven deadly sins. It is a harsh contrast from his saint-like figure in the
funeral as he used to hate Beowulf for being stronger and more noble than he. Unferth’s jealousy
towards Beowulf is shown through his efforts to humiliate him in Herot. He recalls Beowulf’s swimming contest against Brecca and attempts to degrade his pride by reminding him of his
defeat. To further insult Beowulf, Unferth tells him “I not only doubt that you will be able to
stand for a moment against Grendel, but I doubt you will even have the belly to stay in the hall
all night.” This burning envy is born from Hrothgar’s favoritism towards Beowulf. Before
Grendel’s attacks, Hrothgar had honored Unferth as his “wisest advisor”, but with Beowulf’s
arrival the king had completely forgotten about Unferth. The poem, Beowulf, relates the hero
with the Christian figure, Jesus Christ through the representations of Beowulf’s character and
funeral; yet the film paints Beowulf as a pagan figure through his involvement in Nordic rituals
and relics as well as humiliating the ethics of Christianity by displaying a sinful character such as
Unferth as a priest of