Meghan Browne Mrs. Lorencz English 12A Per. 1 27 November 2007 Beowulf vs. Bulvine Only Hollywood can take fantasy and have people question the reality of the story. In the movie, The Thirteenth Warrior, they have taken the fiction, epic poem, “Beowulf”, and made the monsters, heroes, and situations real. However, there is still likeness in the two stories. One main similarity between the movie and the story (and probably the most important) is the element of an epic hero whom dies after saving his people.
After many brave warriors fall to Grendel, Beowulf is the next one chosen to fight this plague. Both of them are caught in a tremendous battle where Beowulf comes out victorious. Centuries later a novel written by John Gardner was published telling the story from Grendel’s point of view. In both pieces of literature Beowulf and Grendel are described as two different mythological icons who share a world. The epic poem and novel are contrasted by how the authors use of different characteristics, different point of views and how the theme of
Beowulf can be viewed as a hero in many people’s eyes; he can also be prevailed as a monster. Throughout Beowulf’s battle with the three beasts which consist of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. He portrays a whole different aura about himself in a negative aspect. Beowulf’s priorities shifted as he gained more and more power; the more power Beowulf had, the more he portrays as a monstrous protagonist. Beowulf’s first fight with Grendel was a heroic moment.
Youth and age play a vital role in this epic, with the first half dedicated to Beowulf’s youth and the second half dedicated to the end of Beowulf’s life. In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominantly by his feats of strength and courage. He does extraordinary things that no other man can do, such as driving “Five great giants into chains” swimming “In the blackness of night, hunting monsters/ Out of the ocean, and killing them one/ By one” (Lines 420, 422-424). Also, as Beowulf prepares to fight Grendel, he states, “ ‘I could kill him with my sword; I shall not,/ Easy as it would be’ ” (Lines678-679). Because of his confidence and knowledge of personal strength, Beowulf fights the most evil monster with his bare hands and comes out victorious.
Body paragraph 1- courage c. Topic sentence- how does Beowulf show courage d. Explanation- (the ability to do something that frightens someone) he shows it when he fights monsters and isn’t afraid to die e. Example- fights Grendel, fights Grendel’s mom, fights the dragon at the end, that effectively ends his life f. Analysis- but it could also be argued that it is not courage, just him trying to achieve a higher status and fame and to further inflate his ego. 3. Body paragraph 2- valor g. Topic sentence- how does Beowulf show valor h. Explanation-(great courage in the face of danger) i. Example- j. Analysis- 4. Body paragraph 3- respect k. Topic sentence- how does Beowulf receive respect l. Explanation- m. Example- n. Analysis- 5. Conclusion o. Restate thesis- and so this is why Beowulf is considered a
Evil to depict the differences of Grendel and the humans. Another example of this theme from Beowulf is, “A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, Ending the grief, the sorrow, the suffering Forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people By a bloodthirsty fiend” (Beowulf, Canto 12 Lines 830-833). This quote emphasizes the distinct contrast of good and evil in Beowulf. The author characterizes Beowulf as an admirable hero, and a clear-cut “good guy” in the story. Conversely, the author describes Grendel as a
His love for her and his mother is what spurs most of his action throughout. • Putting on the Enemy’s Skin: Anakin half-consciously becomes the Emperor’s new apprentice and does many terrible deeds in the name of power and to preserve his love for Padme. He not only put on the skin of the Sith, but becomes one fully. • Nadir/Crucifixion/Dismemberment: Anakin is literally dismembered in the lava after having fought Obi-Wan. His mechanical body resurrects him into Darth Vader.
In the poem, Beowulf, a Geat hero, battles three antagonists: Grendel, who is attacking the Danish mead hall called Herot; Grendel’s mother, and later in his life, an unnamed dragon. The author uses alliterative verse as the principal structuring device to unify the poem, as opposed to other devices such as rhyme. Besides the technical aspects of the poem, Beowulf is rich in Anglo-Saxon traditions. In the epic, there is an immense amount of violence that is accepted with different feelings by other characters. The two main forms of violence are preformed by Grendel, the main antagonist of the poem and by Beowulf - the hero of the story.
In fact, some of the monsters in the story knew he was an epic hero, such as Circe in Book 10 (Line 56) “ ‘ What champion, of what country, can you be?’”, Odysseus finally justify himself to Poseidon, who finally let him return to home. As soon as he got home, he needed to conquer one last challenge. In order to see his wife, Penelope again, he had to kill the army of suitors that were waiting at his front door for Penelope’s hand in marriage. He killed each and every single one of the men. For this reason, Odysseus have had proven himself to be an epic
In life, we have many conflicting ideas in our minds, and the fiend Grendel is no different. There are many contrasts throughout John Gardener’s novel Grendel, providing a mystery of order and chaos, good and evil, hero and monster, all through the eyes on the “monster” Grendel. One contrast Grendel experiences time and time again is that of good and evil. At times he is intrigued by the Shaper’s songs, and feels no desire to kill; while at other times he follows the dragon’s philosophies and ideals, which cause Grendel to go on a psychotic killing spree. Grendel is awed by the words of the Shaper as he “sings the glory of Hrothgar's line,” (Chapter 3) even though he knows they are exaggerated and glorified.