Cristina Hall
September 26, 2002
Beowulf vs. James Bond
The epic tale of Beowulf has survived for many generations and undergone numerous translations, just as the movie series “James Bond” has been around since 1962 and has captured the hearts of those who view the films. Like the character Beowulf, James Bond projects “good” as agent 007, travels to hundreds of places, and his missions almost always affect the outcome of a nation.
Roving to far and distant places, James Bond and Beowulf have the element of travel in common, for they voyage long distances to accomplish their tasks. Beowulf travels a long distance to help a nation win their war, “To anyone in Denmark. All of Beowulf’s; Band had jumped from their beds, Ancestral; Swords raised and ready” (Beowulf, lines 316-318). Beowulf wants to show all of Denmark the good in his heart and loyalty to the race of men. Because their fate rests in Beowulf’s hands, the people of Denmark trust his decisions. Likewise, James Bond, an agent working for the British secret service, has traveled to almost every nation and on a constant basis saves the world from destruction, "When a Soviet Lektor decoding machine is stolen, both the British and the evil organization known as S.P.E.C.T.R.E. are both out to retrieve it and it's up to James Bond to get it first” (Alan, Resident James Bond Scholar; allwatchers.com). James Bond is a hero that is not well noticed by common men, and like Beowulf he is not forgotten by those few who meet him. Furthermore, both these men travel far from home to accomplish what they first set out to do, “Beowulf dead on the sand, their bold; Ring-giver resting in his lat bed; He’d reached the end of his days, their mighty; War-king, the great lord of the Geats,” (Beowulf, lines 866-869). Even when he is dying, Beowulf still helps Wiglaf fight and wins the battle because he wants to help his people. Bond constantly travels to new countries and completes his missions but is forever loyal to Britain. Traveling across great distances is a vital part of both of these men’s lives and it is necessary in order for them to complete their journey.