Examples Of Duality In Beowulf

In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the concept of simplistic duality is expressed quite frequently. However, the opposite can be observed 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 deviation? 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 of today’s media. This divide can be observed in the representations of Grendel, Beowulf, King Hrothgar of the Danes, Selma, and Grendel’s son. In the epic Beowulf, we are shown Grendel in his most black and white form. The author does not give the backstory and necessary information required for the reader to develop sympathy. We are told that …show more content…
In the epic, he is described as a monster that has virtually no human characteristics, and to most readers he is imagined as a ten-foot tall monster. In the movie, Selma adds a new level of complexity to his inner workings. She is a mysterious woman that lives on the edge of town, and is the only person to ever come into contact with Grendel. Her very existence in the movie turns Grendel from a purely evil being into one that has a connection with humans. Grendel exhibits a relationship with Selma, protecting her and sparing her from his wrath on Heorot. This is because today’s media shows that even antagonists have a purpose and a desire. We seldom see the main character undeveloped and without cause. Grendel is shown to be motivated for revenge through his father’s killing and also with the desire to have personal bonds with humans. He’s still no moderately decent person, but much more complex in the movie than in the epic. And he even has a