Beowulf Visual Analysis

Visual Analysis of Beowulf (2007)

There have been many different adaptions and depictions of the infamous poem Beowulf. One such adaption is the movie titled Beowulf released in 2007, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, and Angelina Jolie. Although the movie shares the same name as the epic poem Beowulf, many differences can be noted between the original poem and the movie depiction of it, especially in regard to the character Grendel. In the poem Beowulf..

In the poem Beowulf, there is not a physical description of Grendel but there are clues to lead the reader into making assumptions into his appearance. In the poem Beowulf, Grendel is described as “a powerful demon, a prowler through the night” (from Beowulf

He became agree due to the noise, “it harrowed him/to hear the din of the loud banquet/ every day in the hall, the harp being struck” (from Beowulf lines 87-89). This gives reason as to why he became angered and attacked the mead hall. There also is a description that he was a “fiend from hell… Haunting marshes…he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters”. The narrator describes that Grendel was a part of Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed… for killing Abel”. Grendel is a descendant of a clan who killed his brother. Grendel also “never showed remorse” for his killings. Grendel has incredible strength “grabbed thirty men from their resting places” these were some of his best men. It also appears that it is Grendel’s job is to do bad things, “nobody knows where these reavers from Hell roam in their

His body is shaped as a human but has scaly skin with minimal hair. At different parts of his body, it looks as if he is missing some of his skin and appears to be able to see tendons, muscles, and bones (ribs). He has a membrane over one of his ears that appears to amplify noises. His jaw doesn’t align properly, therefore he has some type of slime drooling out of his mouth. One hand appears to be missing fingers and he has claws. He is very large in comparison to the humans until he is wounded by Beowulf. Grendel comes out of his lair to attack the Danes due to the noise. The movie depicted Grendel’s ears with a membrane and as he hears the noise, he starts screaming covering his ears, which is evidence that the partying that is going on in the mead hall is causing Grendel pain and distress. Grendel’s mother treats Grendel like a mother would treat a baby. During his death scene, she strokes his head while speaking very gently and softly to him. She continues by telling him to sleep now, she is trying to relax and comfort him while he is dying (Zemeckis, Beowulf). Beowulf understands Grendel’s speech, this is shown when Beowulf replies to a question that Grendel asks him. Grendel asks Beowulf, “who art thou” (Zemeckis, Beowulf). Beowulf answers his question; therefore, this is evidence that he understands what Grendel is