Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem about a great warrior. It's the oldest found epic in English and any student of English Literature would be able to tell you what significance it holds for this language. So, when I went to see the latest Anthony Hopkins flick, by the same name, I hoped to revive some of my enthusiasm for old English literature and poetry and see if I remembered anything about this piece.
The epic is a tale (musical in nature- because of the use of alliteration (ref: wikipedia) about a Scandinavian warrior named Beowulf. In the poem, he battles three monsters- one by the name of Grendel, second- Grendel's mom, who wants to take revenge and third, some un-named dragon, in his later life. Beowulf dies in this final battle after slaying the dragon. Apparently, there are 3 funerals in the poem, outlining these three battles. Umm, for those who are interested, do read in detail in Wikipedia (link here)
The movie, though, has taken a different view to the tale and I don't know how much of it is true. Here, Grendel's mom is Angelina Jolie (quite a monster, one would say!) looking extremely appealing and inviting in dripping gold paint. And when Beowulf goes to the lake to kill her, for she wants revenge for her son's death, she makes him an offer he cant refuse- he should give her a son and she will leave the kingdom alone. Beowulf, in the moment of weakness, unites with her and happily goes back to the king, saying that he has slain the evil Grendel's mom.
Now for the ironical part- the king guesses everything- coz in his younger days, the same thing had happened with him and Grendel had actually been the King's son-with Madam Jolie. Hehehehe....one can't help find this scene amusing and the look of desperation on Beowulf's face, to undo his wrong, has been aptly captured. The king very happily hands over the crown, the kingdom, the riches and the Curse to Beowulf and passes away. Beowulf lives his entire life waiting for that curse to resurface in the form of his son and has no peace or happiness. In his later days, the dragon monster finally attacks and Beowulf kills him.
All in all, a tale well told and a moral thrown in too- "temptation is the greatest curse"
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