Humility In Beowulf

Society has evolved culturally since the 6th century. The simplistic and barbaric lifestyle of the Middle Ages, as portrayed in the epic poem Beowulf (Heaney, 2000), contrasts with the complex and civilized lifestyle of a modern day society, as depicted in the movie Beowulf and Grendel (Gunnarsson, 2005). The flat characters of the epic poem exhibit little to no knowledge of the concepts of humility as well as compassion, whereas the characters of the film utilize these concepts to give each of the main characters a sense of depth as well as realistic personas that allow the audience to connect with them on a much deeper level.

Boasting, as vastly shown in the epic poem, was not an uncommon method of introduction in the Middle Ages. In the world of Beowulf, the concept of boasting does not carry the negative connotations that it normally does today. In a warrior society, such as that of Beowulf, manly valor was so highly prized in the world full of

constant feuds as well as battles which made gloating a necessity. By presenting one's achievements in battle, a warrior could make a strong impression, swank their strengths, and affirm their increasing reputations. Boasting was a formal activity in this society, however, it was not meant to be a desolate brag. Furthermore, a swanking warrior such as Beowulf in the poem, was fully expected to live up to his claims, as well as mimic his reputation of strength and valour that he profusely established throughout his career in battle. Beowulf, along with many other characters, have used vaunting as a form of gaining trust or proving one's worth. However, Humility during this time was not viewed as a strong characteristic in a person. To communities such as the Geats and the Danes of that era, boasting was a form of bravery and those who boasted were seen as strong warriors whereas those who ventured with humility were seen as weak.
The Beowulf of the film Beowulf and Grendel contradicts that of the epic poem.

Humility is utilized throughout the film, especially through Beowulf's character, to evoke him as humble and human-like. From the start, Beowulf is portrayed as a strong warrior to the Geats and the Danes, but to the audience this great Geat warrior is introduced as a mere human with minor imperfections. His fellow warriors tell of his accomplishments and, at times, made up stories of him and his adventures to the Danes, however, are quickly downplayed by Beowulf himself. Unlike the poem, the Beowulf of the film expresses little to no boastful actions. He recognizes his strengths as for his weaknesses as well. As the protagonist, he feels no need to gloat, giving him a more humble approach that contradicts the boastful approach of the poem. This modern interpretation of Beowulf allows us to view him as imperfect and utilizes humility to give his character an opportunity to develop, as seen throughout the

film.
The concept of humility had a different meaning during the Middle Ages than it does today. Self-abnegation, in terms of the poem, was seen as a form of weakness whereas humility in terms of the film, conveys the modern view that being self-effacing communicates better than being boastful. The poem and the film each has a contrasting viewpoint on humility. The Beowulf of the poem expresses his achievements as a great Geat warrior whereas the Beowulf of the film rarely utilizes vaunting, but rather uses humbleness to convey himself as a human. The two interpretations of Beowulf serve as references to the way culture of a society during that era perceived humility than how our culture perceives it today.
During the Middle Ages, a warrior was expected to live by an honor code that consisted of bravery, loyalty, revenge, and fame. People during this era did not utilize compassion the way we do today. The characters of the poem exemplify the culture's attitude towards compassion that opposes the modern day attitude towards it. Since the characters hardly developed during the course of the poem, it is apparent that emotional characteristics, such as compassion, did not matter as much during that time as fame did. After Grendel, the God-cursed monster, destroyed and killed several warriors in Heorot, Beowulf ventured to Daneland to relieve Hrothgar of this monster. Beowulf's intentions to destroy Grendel were not done out of sympathy for Hrothgar or compassion towards the lives lost, but so he could gain fame and reward for his conquering of the monster. Because these flat characters showed little to no emotional development, the need for compassion was irrelevant. Beowulf showed no compassion towards Grendel, who was lonely and isolated from the rest of the community for being a hideous, demon monster.
In today's society, emotions such as compassion play a huge role in the way we view an individual. Flat characters, such as those in the epic poem, are difficult to relate with because as individuals of a more modern society we enjoy relating to the characters and watching them develop throughout the story. In the film, aspects of sympathy are utilized by many of the characters. Hrothgar's decision to spare the life of Grendel the young "troll" is the first form of compassion that is displayed in the film. Empathy is heavily utilized throughout the film and becomes the driving force from beginning to end. Therefore, Beowulf's compassion towards Grendel was at first unapparent, yet slowly revealed itself as he began to unravel the truth about the antagonist. The addition of characters to the film that do not appear in the poem is utilized to create a more emotional appeal as well as influence the development of characters, such as Beowulf. Selma, a local witch and seer of deaths, is a newly invented character who is added in the film to tell of Grendel's nature and the truth about what dwells behind the monster that everyone fears. Beowulf's encounter with Selma greatly influences his view of Grendel and his growing compassion for this "troll" who was just trying to defend himself and those whom he held dearly. Emotional ties, such as sympathy, allow the author to transform flat characters from the poem into complex, progressing individuals. The culture that we know today seeks entertainment through feeling and character progression as opposed to flat and simplistic characters. The films utilization of compassion displays the importance of emotional connections in a modern society.
The views on the concept of compassion have changed since the 6th century. the poems lack of character complexity and emotional attributes limit the characters ability to develop, therefore leaving them simplistic and flat throughout the story. Instead of expressing soft-heartedness, Beowulf utilizes fame and revenge as his motivation. Compassion, along with many other emotion-based characteristics, is utilized frequently throughout the film by various characters such as Hrothgar and Beowulf. Unlike the poem, the film focuses on the importance of empathy and how the characters developed throughout the film through emotional shifts. The film's strong use of the contrasting views of compassion between the poem and the film aid in depicting the way culture has differed from the Middle Ages to our current era.
Culturally, society has evolved since the turn of the 6th century. The original epic poem portrays the simplistic and barbaric lifestyle of the Middle Ages that contrasts with the complex and civilized lifestyle of a modern day society, which is depicted in the movie. The minimal knowledge of the concepts of humility and compassion in the poem create flat characters who do not develop throughout the poem, whereas the characters of the film utilizes these concepts to give each of the main characters a sense of depth and development. Although both the poem along with the film utilize similar characters, the cultural differences between the Middle Ages and modern day society have been portrayed separately through these two works of fiction.