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Beowulf Comparison Essay

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“..Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats- greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world--” these are the words that describe Beowulf. The poem Beowulf is the earliest example of poetry in the English language. The story takes place in Scandinavia during the 5th century CE, about a brave Germanic Warrior named Beowulf who lived to fight for glory and honor. In fact, the poem is still around up-to-date, and indeed a movie was made as well. However, the movie Beowulf shows numerous amount of differences within the poem based on our society today. Although the poem and the movie Beowulf share some similarities, the different portrayals of Beowulf’s role as a hero, Beowulf’s last battle, and gender role divulge the values of society in which they are told.
To begin with, the first example of similarities and difference in the poem and movie Beowulf is warrior’s role as a mighty and brave hero. In the poem Beowulf; Beowulf was notable for his heroic character, and described as the bravest and strongest of all the geats. When Hrothgar’s herot was attacked by the evil monster Grendel; Beowulf accepted the monster’s terms that …show more content…
As Beowulf rules his kingdom for 50 years, unpredictably, a massive dragon invaded his kingdom. And although the brave grey-bearded king has already aged, Beowulf still insisted to fight the massive dragon to defend his people. Before his last battle, Beowulf does his final formal boasting “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought/ In endless battles. I am old, now,/ But I will fight again seek fame still,/ If the dragon hiding in his tower dares,/ To face me.”(607-611) On the contrary, in the poem, when Beowulf ruled for 50 years he focused on peace but in the movie, the dragon that Beowulf defeated turned out to be his son. Originally in the poem, Beowulf’s son or wives were really not mentioned at

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