Stephanie Rodriguez

ENG IV/2ND

March- 30- 2015

                                  Beowulf Compare and Contrast Essay

I have read the Beowulf and I have watched the movie. There are many differences when you compare and contrast the two. There were events when things happened both in the text and film, and then there are things that happened but in different scenarios. In my essay I will be explaining the differences between the film and text of the epic hero Beowulf. One difference between the poem and the movie before I start was that the book of Beowulf explained the actual story of Beowulf and his journey in much more detail. On the other hand it was interesting to be able to visually see the book come to life as it is always easier for my interest to be held when I am watching something instead of reading it.

            From one of the scenes from the film Grendel went to attack the kings club because of his ears were sensitive. When the music was too loud it put pain to his ears, which was the cause of the attack. In the text it was said to be the attack had happened because Grendel was attacking the kings club because he was curious from all the commotion.  

            In another scene from the film shows that Beowulf and his friend swimming in the ocean. When they stop to speak to one another in the ocean a giant sea monster comes from underneath them and attacks Beowulf. Now because Beowulf is so epic he slit the giant sea monsters throat and then the monster was slayed. In the text there was no sea monster they were just swimming along the ocean.

            So for the last scene that had dramatic differences was that in the text all of the king’s friends after the party they were sleeping and then Grendel came along being curious of all the movement and sounds and kills the people in the kings club. In the film everybody out the club was awake and happy and then Grendel came and attacked them aware and awake.

Those were all compared and contrast events of Beowulf from the text and film. Of course there are many more differences but they aren’t as dramatic as the three I just stated. Beowulf is considered a heroic figure in the poem because he protected the Danes from the beasts and in the movie he is portrayed more as a liar than a hero. For example he lies about the dragon being his son and having an affair with Grendel’s mother. This was never mentioned in the poem. In the movie, Hrothgar is accused of cheating on Welthow with Grendel’s mother and giving birth to Grendel. See there lots of minor to major differences but they all have the same story.