Cultural Norms In Beowulf

Beowulf and Grendel: A Study in Cultural Paradigms
As Religion and social attitudes towards what defines a hero and a villain, changes throughout history.The criteria for what they can and cannot do also changes. As well as what they are and how they are portrayed by their peers, and whether cc should or shouldn't have sympathy for them. Modern day heroes and villains have more character and background to them, that shows how complex their life really is. Normally, heroes in the epic Beowulf (Gunnarsson) era have that simplicity duality that allows them to discard a evil mass (villain) without any reason. Even if the creature or thing had done nothing to harm him nor his kin. Such dilemma portrays a conflictive tone between the two Beowulf's …show more content…
Even though, his background custom of finding a way to get more recognition for yourself, and to live up to his family's name. Or even to surpass what others expected of him due to his family's name is still correct in both works. The little details had added up quickly. From his way of thought to his way of emotional attachment toward others. To start off the way each of them acted was contrasting. In Beowulf the epic, the hero had more of a conceited attitude; he would boast so much of his successful attacks and he would even seem to stretch the truth a bit too much. Not once in the movie had Beowulf openly said his achievements. If anything it was his men that had boasted about him. During one part of the film, his comrade was surrounded by children, and he had talked about Beowulf so highly. To only be interrupted by Beowulf himself and disrupt the storytelling because he didn't want to be seen as a hero if he had done nothing. In addition his overall emotional attachment to others stay the same. Even to his loyal comrades to him for years, he would treat as inferior beings toward himself, He was superior and he had never questioned if an evil force was good inside. While in the poem Beowulf had no respect or kindness toward Grendel. While, in the film Beowulf’s heart toward Grendel grew bigger and he started respecting him for his actions. Even if they were brutal. Even after Grendel’s death Beowulf had built him a shrine made out of stone, to represent his respect and sympathy toward the mournful