The Beowulf poem is one of the oldest poems spoken in the English language which has been passed down generation through generation and has been changed to fit the values of societies that recount the story. Even now a thousand years after the story was first told it’s still alive today then with each passing generation the story has been changed to fit one’s values and beliefs. This can be seen when comparing the Beowulf movie and poem there are many similarities and differences in gender roles, comportment of heros and themes which both reflect Anglo saxon and modern societies. The first example of similarities and differences in the poem and the movies is gender roles. In both the movie and the poem men were depicted as the strongest and …show more content…
In both the poem and the movie the hero is of course Beowulf. In both the poem and the movie Beowulf’s purpose is to seek glory and fulfill his vanity then later boast about his success to others.When talking about the comportment of Heroes there are more differences than similarities. For example in the poem Beowulf is completely honest and honorable and actually did kill Grendel's mom in the poem as you can read on pg.49 lines 521-524 “ … struck with all the strength he had left,/ Caught her in the neck and cut it through,/ Broke bones and all. Her body fell/To the floor, lifeless.” In the poem Beowulf want to be remembered as a Hero with no faults only glory. Yet on the other hand, in the movie Beowulf is depicted as a man with many flaws and weaknesses. In the movie he is seen lying and being very vague when being questioned however in the movie he is still respected by his people yet he himself doesn't feel he deserves to be honored. Finally the biggest difference is that in the movie he falls victim to his weaknesses and unlike the poem instead of killing Grendel’s mom he actually sleeps with the monster and impregnates her than later on their spawn comes back to kill