Beowulf is a fierce warrior without a shameful thought or action, or so the story tells. The cinematic version of the Anglo-Saxon tale portrays Beowulf as a flawed human that has both created and killed the monsters that haunt the land of the Danes. Although both stories highlight the battle between Beowulf and a monster named Grendel, of who brings terror to the mead hall, and a dragon that later haunts the same lands, there are a few major discrepancies between the text and the movie that alter the characters, plot and subsequently the overall theme of the story. Beowulf’s difference in character and morality is one of the most substantial differences between the two versions of the story. In text, Beowulf is a flawless prince who selflessly travels lands to protect strangers, all for the sake of honor. When Beowulf dies a tower is built for him, so him men can, “Praise him for heroic deeds, for a life as noble as his name” (886-889). Beowulf represents everything that is ‘good’ in the lands and his only enemies are …show more content…
The written story creates no deeper connection between Beowulf and the monsters that he fights besides his triumph or defeat as results to their struggle. In old age, Beowulf challenges the dragon and approaches claiming, “[he] feels no shame with shield and sword and armor against this monster” (618-619). Beowulf dies against the dragon with an easy heart knowing he did no wrong in his life. This could not be more different than Beowulf’s dying words in the film. Instead, Beowulf is filled with grief and shame knowing that the dragon that terrorizes his people came from his own sins. He reveals that the dragon is his very own son and weeps with regret for helping create such a demon. This is a more realistic reflection who the people claim are heroes, for nobody can die unscathed from the horrors of life, and perfection can not be