BEOWULF(page 12-13)

Beowulf is the oldest Anglo-Saxon poem. It celebrates the deeds of a hero and describe an aristocratic, military society with some typical scenes: the banquet, the battle , the voyage. 

HISTORIC PERIOD: between the 8^th and the 11^th century, firstly written in the 11^th century.

SETTINGS: Geatland, in Scandinavia, the Beowulf’s own land, as well as Hortgar’s kingdom, in Denmark.

CHARACTERS:

Beowulf: the hero of the poem praised for his braver, power, skill and endurance.

Horgtar: the king who asked  Beowulf’s help.

Grendel: the first monster.

Grendel’s mother: the second monster, which looks a bit like a woman.

A fire-breathing dragon: the third monster. 

THEMES:

The fight between Good and Evil, Beuwulf represents goodness. The three monsters stand for evil.

 

 

BEOWULF(page 17)

The film didn't transmit the same messages and values of the original poem, because the contest is different.

 “Beowulf and Grendel”: the film has a different Christian point of view.

Three new characters: Grendel’s father, Grendel’s son and witch Selma.

Grendel dies at the end of the film.

Grendel is not a real monster, but a persecuted which belongs to an ethic minority

Grendel kills for a desire of revenge indeed Grendel some humans had injured him when he was a child. 

Beowulf buries Grendel honoring him

The hero has some similarities to the original poem, but the characters are so different.

Beowulf also has some defects.

Grendel’s mother is a beautiful woman, exaggerating the similarity expressed in the poem.