How Is Grendel Different From The Movie Beowulf

Many of times, poems that are enjoyable because they are so intriguing often get ruined due to the fact that when it gets released as a movie, the plot and characters are not portrayed the same way it was in the poem. Take the story of Beowulf as an example, the poem follows a brave warrior who is afraid of no one, a warrior who would fight for both glory and pride. But in the movie he is one who tells lies and is easily weakened by women. A character who was once highly respected in the poem loses some respect in the movie because of lies he has told. Characters who were displayed as vicious monsters in the poem gets a role in the movie that makes you understand their background and, why they are the way they are which in the end makes you feel sorry for them. In the Beowulf movie and poem, there are similarities and differences in, the behavior of Beowulf, as well as the character of both Grendel and his mom which, ultimately reveals themes that reflect both Anglo-Saxon and modern society. To begin with, an example of similarities and differences in …show more content…
Grendel is still considered a ruthless monster who wreaks havoc on Herot because he does not like the noise in both the poem and movie. The way in which he is described is, “A powerful monster, living down/In the darkness…” (1-2) who, “...no crime could be enough,/No savage assault quenched his lust/For evil.” (51-53). Which ultimately shows how ruthless, unforgiving, and evil Grendel is. Although Grendel is portrayed as an evil monster, the background surrounding as to how Grendel came to be is different. In one scene from the movie, it is hinted at by Hrothgar’s wife that Hrothgar had been seduced by Grendel’s mom which is how Grendel was conceived. Whereas in the poem it is said that Grendel was, “Conceived by a pair of monsters born/Of cain, murderous creatures banished/By God…”