In the epic Beowulf, written by John Green and translated by Seamus Hanley, the concept of simplistic duality is utilized quite frequently. However, this is not the case in the movie, “Beowulf & Grendel”, directed by Sturla Gunnarsson. In this day and age, where moviegoers want their films to mirror the original plot of their favorite novels, why would the director of "Beowulf and Grendel" decide to make such a shift? The answer lies in our modern culture. Because our culture differs greatly than that of the Anglo-Saxons, the concept of simplistic duality has become atypical in today’s media. This divide is apparent in the representations of Grendel, Beowulf, King Hrothgar of the Danes, Selma, and Grendel’s son. In the epic Beowulf, Grendel is portrayed as a simply evil being. He just isn’t given the backstory and side information necessary for the reader to develop sympathy. We are told that Grendel was born a
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We only learn of this late in the story, as Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s son is born through Selma and hides in Grendel’s mother’s den after Grendel is killed. The fact that Grendel has a son with another character that isn’t even mentioned in the epic might prompt a head turn. This is obviously a massive development and a bold move by the director to include in the movie. So why do it? Why risk criticism just to include a character that does not say a word? Again, the answer lies in our culture and society. Unlike the Anglo-Saxons, our society does not see important issues in black and white. To a theater full of movie goers, an antagonist with no purpose and no reason to live would not float well. However, the audience of 580 AD doesn’t care for a backstory; they want a hero to be brave and slay an evil villain. Because of their pagan religion, their minds were not fit to comprehend anything other than killing what is evil and protecting all that they see is
We only learn of this late in the story, as Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s son is born through Selma and hides in Grendel’s mother’s den after Grendel is killed. The fact that Grendel has a son with another character that isn’t even mentioned in the epic might prompt a head turn. This is obviously a massive development and a bold move by the director to include in the movie. So why do it? Why risk criticism just to include a character that does not say a word? Again, the answer lies in our culture and society. Unlike the Anglo-Saxons, our society does not see important issues in black and white. To a theater full of movie goers, an antagonist with no purpose and no reason to live would not float well. However, the audience of 580 AD doesn’t care for a backstory; they want a hero to be brave and slay an evil villain. Because of their pagan religion, their minds were not fit to comprehend anything other than killing what is evil and protecting all that they see is