Comparison Between Beowulf the Epic and Beowulf the Film Essay

Contrast and Similarities surrounded by Beowulf and BeowulfBeowulf, an heroic written down in the year 1060 by the Beowulf Poet, is the epitome of what rightful(a) writing is, defining the standard of the heroic itself. The more modern take in of Beowulf, produced in 2007, is an attempt to do justice to the Beowulf Poets masterpiece. The poem and pullulate have several key similarities and digressions which influence the reader/viewer. Important similarities amid the 2 include the heroic characteristics of Beowulf and the severing of Grendels arm however, the moving-picture carry does have some drastic differences from the text such(prenominal) as Beowulfs seduction by Grendels mother, and how the product of this sin is his son the dragon, musical composition in the text this beast is regarded as a rogue monster.Similarities in the midst of the text and the movie are established to stay true to the fore of Beowulf, a theme in which a hero conquers great odds and shows what the epitome of humanity can achieve this theme is essential to the outgrowth of any true epical. The most prominent similarity mingled with the two is the characteristics granted to Beowulf, the key indication being arrogance. Arrogance is an master(prenominal) trait of any epic hero, in the film this arrogance is established in Beowulfs rumor of swimming in the ocean during which he states he slew several sea monsters, however in the background his followers can be seen stating that the original number was much smaller than Beowulf has stated. This arrogance is mirrored in the text when Beowulf is proclaimed as the strongest of the Geats greater and stronger than anyone anyplace in this world (Beowulf Poet 110-111), while in truth it is unlikely that he was the greatest warrior of the time, making this a very boastful statement.This arrogance is once more mirrored when Beowulf refuses to vie Grendel with any weapons or armor, in the film he simply strips before sleep ing and in the text he states that My gentle Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden cuticle my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster. (Beowulf Poet 169-174). This arrogance is persevered in the film to demonstrate the characteristics of a hero. At the time heroes were people who had such a boastful attitude, thusly the film writers make sure to lead this narcissism onto the viewer to show Beowulfs strength of attitude. The film establishes a second similarity to the text byillustrating Beowulfs fight with Grendel. Beowulf is breaked manage around with Grendel and eventually removing his arm, claiming it as a sign of The Victory, for the proof, hanging advanced from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters Arm, claw and shoulder and all (Beowulf Poet 356-358). This prize is an important object that is established in both the text and the film to display bot h the epic struggle amongst Beowulf and once more show how strong Beowulf truly was, further establishing him as an epic hero.During the course of the film, in that respect are some artistic liberties taken which change the plot from that of the text these changes were made to display a more unified tale between that of the younger Beowulf and the older Beowulf. These differences begin immediately following the death of Grendel, coming to head when Beowulf confronts Grendels mother. In the text, Beowulf is seen to fight with Grendels mother until Her consistence fell to the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet with her blood (Beowulf 523-524). This is a drastic difference from the film, where Grendels Mother is shown seducing Beowulf promising him a long life and a successful reign if he gives her a son along with the luxurious horn he received for killing Grendel. This change was made to serve a smooth transition between the two parts of the epic, the maiden concerning Grendel , the second concerning the dragon. It is at the end that the second change, and the product of the transition, is shown. This product is the dragon, who is shown to be the son of Beowulf and Grendels Mother. This further differs from the text where Beowulf fights a dragon screen in his tower (Beowulf 610) that has been terrorizing the country side, not his own offspring. These changes are made to make a connection between the two parts of the epic tale of Beowulf. In the text, the tales of the dragon and Grendel are completely unrelated thus may be viewed with some confusion by the reader. However, when the dragon is shown to be Beowulfs son who comes back for revenge, the death of Beowulf is that much more definitive showing him wrapping up the mistakes of his life and fully concluding his tale.The differences and similarities between Beowulf and Beowulf are precisely placed in order to retain what makes Beowulf an epic tale, while thedifferences help to establish a smoother tra nsition and backstory between Beowulf and his fight with the dragon. Similarities between the two include Beowulfs epic characteristics and his fight with Grendel while the key differences are Beowulfs failure to slay Grendels Mother and his fight with his own son, the dragon. In the end, the stories effectively conclude the tale of Beowulf and demonstrate how effective both similarities and differences can be at changing ones viewpoint.