Comparative Analysis of the Book and the Movie Entitled Beowulf

This paper attempts to differentiate the book and the film named Beowulf. It seeks to compare the book and the film in terms of the 5 elements of a story, such as a) characterization b) setting c) conflict d) plot e) theme.

A. Characterization:

1. King Hrothgar

“Hrothgar, taking the throne, led the Danes to such glory that comrades and kinsmen swore by his sword. He’d divide the spoils of their victories, to old and young what they’d earned.” (Chapter 1) He believes in God. He is the husband of Queen Welthow and the father of his two princes, Prince Hrethric and Prince Hrothmund and her only daughter, Princess Freaw.

Unlike how King Hrothgar is depicted in the book, the film depicted King Hrothgar as a non-believer of God exclaiming “For the Gods cannot do anything for us that we will not do for ourselves. What we need is a hero.” He is the father of his only son, Grendel conceived by his mother through a deal. He is a womanizing alcoholic king detested by his wife for his grave sin. Knowing the truth from Beowulf and Grendel’s mother’s clash, he killed himself by jumping from his kingdom.

2. Queen Welthow

Queen Welthow is “Hrothgar’s gold-ringed queen… a noble woman who knew what was right, she raised a flowing cup to Hrothgar… from warrior to warrior… and to the Geat’s great prince.” (Chapter 9) She is wife of King Hrothgar and the mother of her two princes, Prince Hrethric and Prince Hrothmund and her only daughter, Princess Freaw. She once owned “the most beautiful necklace known to men” (Chapter 18) that Beowulf gave to Queen Higd, Higlac’s wife.

Unlike how Queen Welthow is depicted in the book, the film depicted Queen Welthow as King Hrothgar’s wife who detests him for his secret, not wanting to sleep with him. She bore no child for her king. She has been the wife of Beowulf after the king died in the film. She had not loved Hrothgar but had loved Beowulf.

3. Unferth

Unferth is “Ecglaf’s son” (Chapter 8). He is one of Hrothgar’s...