Beowulf & Grendel - Themes

Themes

The film attempts to retell the classic tale of fantasy as a historical epic. And in fact, the film never makes clear whether Grendel and his father are actually "trolls", monsters from Norse mythology, or simply human beings with monstrous deformities (although it seems obvious that the sea-hag's appearance and abilities make her distinctly inhuman). Andrew Rai Berzins, in his blog, states that he intended that Grendel be less of a flesh-eating troll and more of a sasquatch; that is to say, something that may exist in the real world. Other viewers feel it is obvious that Grendel and his father are remnants of Neanderthals, who may indeed have survived in isolated populations in the far north.

Beowulf as presented constantly doubts the Danes' assertion (and later, that of his own men) that the troll is a monster of all encompassing evil. His insight tells him that Grendel is a being of some intelligence and is operating against an evil done against him, which is confirmed by the king's admission to Beowulf that he slew Grendel's father (And yet, Beowulf notes, Grendel does not attack the king himself, implying a complex ethical and moral code. Grendel takes revenge against the Danes, but will not kill the Dane who spared his life). Beowulf deeply regrets the need to destroy Grendel, and yet accepts the fact that in his world, it must be done.

Another theme of the film is that of Christianity's introduction into pagan civilization. As Grendel's reign of terror continues with no end in sight, the people of the village turn away from their Norse gods, which seem to offer no help, and who, they believe, expect the Danes to fight and struggle unto death, to the Christian Jesus, who they are told forgives all and, from Beowulf's point of view, expects nothing.

Towards the end of the film, when the King and Beowulf argue the good of the Danes' conversion to Christ, the King points out that the Christians promise heaven. He asks Beowulf, testing him, if he worries where he's going after his death. He imagines he's going "where he's sent", a wry admission that he recognizes his impotence to actually change the situation he is in, but unlike the Danes, he accepts it. Butler's Beowulf would prefer to live in a world where Grendel is left alone.