Mythology and Folklore

A Movie Analysis of Beowulf

Submitted By:
Aira P. Ganancial
Angienette B. Ulba
BSED 2 - A

Submitted To:
Marlou Q. Almazan

Date:
May 26, 2023
 Beowulf
Beowulf is a 2007 American computer-animated fantasy action film produced and
directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary's old English epic
poem of the same name. Beowulf is an anonymous Old English poem about a hero from
Geatland (now Sweden) who travels to Denmark to combat man-eating monster before returning
home to battle and kill a fire-breathing dragon, but dies in the process. Grendel, which was
voiced by Crispin Glover, is a character which in the movie's three villains that opposes
Beowulf. Except for Beowulf, everyone in Heorot fears Grendel. Beowulf in the voice of Chris
Mala, is a legendary Geatish hero in the eponymous epic poem, one of the oldest surviving
pieces of English literature. Grendel's mother in the person of Angelina Jolie, is one of the
distinct antagonists who is very assertive, strong, and brave, making her scary anomaly, a
monster, from the masculine perspective. Grendel's mother is considered “other” in the sense that
she is a woman, but she is also an alien pariah since she has departed from the racially defined
position for woman. Hrothgar, the king of the great hall Heorot and ruler of Denmark in the
person of Anthony Hopkins, achieves military and economic success until Grendel terrorizes his
kingdom. He is a wise and old monarch who served as a father figure to Beowulf.

Beowulf is set in Scandinavia, circa 500 A.D., in the lands of two tribal tribes, the Geats
and the Scyldings, who inhabited and lived in those locations during the time of the poem.
Courage, good versus evil, loyalty, charity, reputation, and the heroic code are among the themes
explored in Beowulf. One of the Beowulf's key themes is bravery. Beowulf is the pinnacle of
bravery, continually going into combat despite the fact that the odds are stacked against him. The
story Beowulf is told in the third person, omnisciently. The movie's central conflict is between.
close-knit warrior civilizations and the many challenges that threaten their frontiers. Grendel
mother's revenge massacre of Aeschere all lead up to Beowulf's climactic showdown with
Grendel's mother. The reign of King Hrothgar in Denmark is threatened by the anguished,
demon, Grendel, who assaults the inhabitants during their festival. The Danish King offered
bounty for the creature's destruction, luring the valiant Geat warrior Beowulf, who craves fame.
Beowulf overcomes the demon in a tough battle, and after obtaining an antique artifact as a prize,
he discovers his men dead in the castle's celebration. Beowulf fellows Grendel's mother into the
lake where the resides when King Hrothgar informs him that she was responsible for the
slaughter. The creature disguises itself as a lovely lady and seduces Beowulf by promising him
an invincible and rich King if he makes love to her and gives her his golden relic. Years later,
King Beowulf suffers the consequences of his quilt with their church, thing

What I like about the movie is that the voices supply the characters right and the
animated film looks more than the voices do. The special effects such as blood, flesh, cleared
full, severed limbs, and more are animated well. Although, the movie was rated PG-13 which
encompasses that audience under 13 years old should be cautioned by their parents. However,
the nudity of Grendel’s mother should be only for 18 years old above. Also, the animation of
gruesome scenes is not for 13 years old. It should've been rated for 18 old and above but all in
all, it is a good movie.

Beowulf is an epic story because the poem's underlying hero employs all of the required
conventions such as a long, narrative poem with an epic hero, fantastic adventure, superhuman
feats, and imagery that define an epic poem. Beowulf has the attributes of a hero because he
battles for a good cause, follows a code of honor, and possesses greater strength and courage
than anybody else. The greatest and most crucial part of Beowulf is the fight between good and
evil. The poet emphasizes that good and evil do not exist as polar opposites, but that both traits
may be found in everyone. Beowulf indicates the capacity to do well or behave selflessly and in
the service of others. Beowulf is the Geats' courageous leader. He has earned enormous respect
not just in his native country, but also from people all across the world. People all throughout the
world have heard stories of Beowulf's success and grandeur. He is a total celebrity of the
moment. "The more people you love, the weaker you become; you'll do things for them that you
know you shouldn't do, and you'll act the fool to keep them happy and safe."