At the beginning of the film Beowulf 2007, one of the main character that featured was the king of Hearot, “Hrothgar”. He was portrayed as a very lousy king who loves to get drunk along with his men. But despite of his behavior, he was a great king who won many battles and conquered various lands.
The only problem that the king had was a son who can inherit his kingdom and perhaps, to continue his legacy. His beautiful wife Wealtheow actually doesn’t want to give him a child because she knew his husband’s secret affair with the “Water Demon” or the Angelina Jolie look-alike human serpent.
The secret affair has something to do with the creature “Grendel”. This troll-like creature from the beginning of the movie displayed terrifying brutally to his human victims. He literally just torn the bodies of the soldiers including civilians.
Grendel was actually the son of king Hrothgar which was their offspring from the water demon serpent. This is probably the main reason why the king remained alive being spared by the monster.
When Beowulf entered the scene, he was able to get rid of Grendel. But as the story flows, the same thing happened to the mighty slayer where he had fallen to the beauty of the water demon. Hrothgar’s order was actually to slay Grendel’s mother but the adventurer returned and lied all about it.
Only Hrothgar knew that Beowulf didn’t slain the water demon but only Grendel. The hero actually brought the monster’s decapitated head as a proof. So realizing the slayer’s lies, the king claimed that he was no longer under the curse where it was passed down to Beowulf.
The only problem that the king had was a son who can inherit his kingdom and perhaps, to continue his legacy. His beautiful wife Wealtheow actually doesn’t want to give him a child because she knew his husband’s secret affair with the “Water Demon” or the Angelina Jolie look-alike human serpent.
The secret affair has something to do with the creature “Grendel”. This troll-like creature from the beginning of the movie displayed terrifying brutally to his human victims. He literally just torn the bodies of the soldiers including civilians.
Grendel was actually the son of king Hrothgar which was their offspring from the water demon serpent. This is probably the main reason why the king remained alive being spared by the monster.
When Beowulf entered the scene, he was able to get rid of Grendel. But as the story flows, the same thing happened to the mighty slayer where he had fallen to the beauty of the water demon. Hrothgar’s order was actually to slay Grendel’s mother but the adventurer returned and lied all about it.
Only Hrothgar knew that Beowulf didn’t slain the water demon but only Grendel. The hero actually brought the monster’s decapitated head as a proof. So realizing the slayer’s lies, the king claimed that he was no longer under the curse where it was passed down to Beowulf.
The king then decided and announced to everyone that Beowulf will succeed his throne. He removed his crown, tossed it to the new successor and intentionally committed suicide by jumping off from the castle parapet.
My Personal Opinion about Hrothgar as a fallen king
Hrothgar was already cursed by the water demon serpent in exchange for power as one mighty king of Heorot. The curse was that, he won’t be able to have any human child except his son Grendel. This was the reason why even if he was the king, he didn’t had any child.
You might say, “It’s because his wife Wealtheow don’t want to give him a child”. Well, you are right but as a king, he can actually just pick-up any other women in his kingdom to bear a child for him. Just like Beowulf’s mistress, Ursula. But he can’t. All because it was a part of the curse.
Do you also know the reason why Hrothgar was so happy after his curse has been lifted that he even committed suicide without any hesitation?
He already knew that the water demon will come after him. Other than that, his son Grendel was already killed by Beowulf which means he no longer had any worries which gave him complete peace of mind.
Overall, Hrothgar was an older reflection of Beowulf where they shared similar fate.
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