Robert Zemeckis’ 2007 film adaptation of “Beowulf,” an old English epic, is often said to differ a lot from the original text, in particular from the one in Heaney’s translation. One of the greatest differences, as critics agree, is the portrayal of the main character in the film as a vulnerable and flawed man and more as a hero for the modern times in contrast to the flawless and “more than human” Beowulf’s portrayal in the text (Wood par.6).

Other differences include particular changes made to the plot and other characters’ portrayals. Beowulf, as the protagonist in both Zemeckis’s film and in the poem as translated by Heaney, appears in two different ways. While in the film Beowulf is a hero seeking glory above all other things, in the poem he is a wise and sensible king to come, with a feeling for responsibility for those he leads.

In the first or “boat” scene, the text portrays Beowulf as a future king who acts upon careful thinking and without haste whereas the film portrays him as a chevalier of fortune. In the text, the protagonist first orders the boat, and then he selects people to sail with him. Together with his best men, Beowulf prepares the boat and chooses the best departure time based on the weather. Beowulf does all these things without any hurry, which is evident by the phrase: “Time went by…” (line 210). Once his journey to Denmark is over, Beowulf and his warriors thank the Christian God for their easy ride across the calm sea. In this way, the book leaves the impression that Beowulf knew what he is doing and even if he takes his men to a dangerous journey, he retains absolute control over the situation. By contrast, the film portrays Beowulf in the first scene as a thoughtless knight of fortune. He and his men are sailing through the wind and rain. Rather than choosing a suitable weather for his long and dangerous journey, the main character relies on his assumption that the sea “won’t take me back to [her] womb,” because she is his mother. It is Beowulf’s boat from below that the audience sees first in the film: indeed, the man is riding a gigantic wave and can only be seen as the boat goes down. He leads his men in a rush “For Beowulf. For gold. For glory” (“Beowulf,” 18 min).

In the second or “watchman” scene, again Beowulf is portrayed as a sensible and wise leader in the text and as a bold but vain and conceited. Specifically, in the book Beowulf and his team go ashore without permission yet with respect towards the authorities of the land. He addresses the watchman and his noble knights, with their “shields glittering,” with politeness as he says he needs “right advice and direction” (line 231; line 269). Moreover, although he does not openly call his name, he says his father’s one, mentions his errand, and tells a lot about himself and his family. All this works to support Beowulf’s intention to show he has come as a friend rather than a foe. In this way, Beowulf acts wisely, because he does not risk his own or his men’s lives in possible unnecessary confrontation. By contrast, in the film, Beowulf risks his own and his men’s lives as he enters this unnecessary confrontation: as he places himself in front of his men facing the approaching watchman, there is a moment of tension when the watchman rides close to Beowulf and points his spear at him. Once the guard says he knows Beowulf and talks approvingly about his mission, the tension is removed. However, the vanity of the hero is again felt in his reply that he has come to kills the monster not for gold but for glory (“Beowulf,” 19 min).

Further, the third or “hall” scene again shows how the film’s Beowulf is much of a vain hero in contrast to the sensible and humble book’s character. In the book, Beowulf waits outside the king’s hall until he and his men are invited to enter. Wulfgard, who is a Vendel chief and tye Danish king Hrothgar’s officer, begs his master to meet the newly arrived because Beowulf “is formidable indeed” (line 370). Hrothgar allows Beowulf and his warriors to enter in their armour yet without their spears and shields. The king in the text knew Beowulf from the time when the latter was a boy, characterized with a great strength. Hrothgar tells his vassals a lot about the hero and his kin thanking God that He has sent Beowulf to free Denmark from the monster. Hrothgar, in addition, offers Beowulf and his men “much treasure.” Unlike the book where Beowulf acts respectfully and humbly, and asks the king of he could kill the dreadful monster, the film’s protagonist acts vainly and overconfidently. He boasts to the people in the hall that he will kill Grendel and looks down on the queen who says that many knights have come before him and said this. He replies, “I have drunk nothing yet, but I will kill your monster” (“Beowulf,” 19 min). This example illustrates that Beowulf acts impolitely, overconfidently, and in some way disrespectfully. His vain, hence, is evident. Needless to say, in the film, Beowulf is so self-centered that he even does not think how his behavior may influence those who accompany him in the journey.

In the “fighting” scene, Beowulf in the text again demonstrates his courage and responsibility for the lives of his men as he does most of the fighting himself. On the contrary, in the film, Beowulf loses four men of his team while he focuses solely on the monster.