Beowulf: The Greatest Hero in History or Not?

Beowulf is a tale of the greatest hero in history or is it? There are many different versions of Beowulf, but I am only going to compare the recent animation movie and the abridged version. The latest movie version of Beowulf is very different than the book. The main difference is that Beowulf makes love to a demon and has son with her! The Beowulf in the book is portrayed as an unmovable stone this is pure of heart who only wants to have all the glory. These two Beowulf's are the same and different all at the same time which creates an interesting comparison.

Grendel is a demon of great power. In the book, he is so powerful and has such wrath that no none of the Thanes could kill him. His terror compels Geats to come across the sea to save the Thanes. After hearing Hrothgar’s men sing Grendel is so outraged the he leaves his marsh, crosses the land and kills 30 men before they even know it. The Grendel in the movie is much less intimidating, you actually feel bad for him. He came to Heroit to make Hrothgar’s men stop singing. Grendel did not come out of a heartless desire to kill, just to make them quiet. I feel like the Grendel in the book is a heartless monster while the one in the movie is just a mistake that really should be left alone.

The fight between Grendel and Beowulf is huge in both the movie and the book. The fight in the movie is very dramatic and as previously mentioned Grendel came because the men were singing. Beowulf was naked and asleep when Grendel began to attack the men. As the fight continues on, Beowulf is helped by Wiglaf, when Grendel starts to run away Beowulf pins Grendel and slams his arm in the door serving it from his twisted deformed body. The fight in the book is between just Beowulf and the monster. The fight is very destructive to (heroit) tables and chairs are smashed and thrown against the wall destroying them.