The 2007 film "Beowulf" is a retelling of the Old English epic poem, Beowulf. While the film takes some liberties with the original text, it still follows the general story of Beowulf and his battle against the monster Grendel, as well as his later confrontation with a dragon.
One character who appears in the film, but not in the original poem, is a young woman named Ursula.
In this blog post, we will explore who Ursula is in the Beowulf 2007 movie, why Beowulf chose her as his mistress, and the significance of her character in the film.
Who is Ursula?
Ursula is a young woman who appears towards the end of the film. She is never mentioned or seen until Beowulf is an old man, having taken over as king of Heorot after Hrothgar.
Ursula is described as beautiful and young, which suggests that she is quite a bit younger than Beowulf.
We are not given any information about Ursula's background or how she came to be in Heorot, but we can speculate that Beowulf may have chosen her from among the women in his kingdom.
Why did Beowulf choose Ursula?
One question that may come to mind when watching the film is why Beowulf would choose to take a mistress when he already has a queen, Wealtheow.
It is unclear why Beowulf would do this, but it may be that he was looking for someone who was younger and more physically attractive than Wealtheow.
Wealtheow is portrayed as a strong and intelligent woman, but she is also older than Beowulf and may not have the same physical appeal as Ursula.
It is also possible that Beowulf chose Ursula because she was more willing to give him what he wanted than Wealtheow was.
Wealtheow is portrayed as a woman with her own agency who is not afraid to stand up to Beowulf when she feels he is in the wrong.
She is also shown to be unhappy with Beowulf's choice to take a mistress, and it is suggested that she withholds sex from him as a result.
Ursula, on the other hand, seems to be more willing to comply with Beowulf's desires. This may be why Beowulf turns to her when he is no longer able to get what he wants from Wealtheow.
The significance of Ursula's character
Ursula's character serves several important functions in the film. First, she represents Beowulf's desire for youth and beauty.
As a young and attractive woman, Ursula is a symbol of Beowulf's waning virility and the inevitability of old age. By taking Ursula as his mistress, Beowulf is trying to recapture his lost youth and vitality.
Second, Ursula represents the danger that comes with Beowulf's desire. Beowulf's infidelity and pursuit of a younger woman ultimately lead to his downfall.
It is suggested that the dragon that attacks Heorot is seeking revenge on Beowulf for his past transgressions. Ursula, therefore, serves as a warning of the consequences of Beowulf's actions.
Finally, Ursula represents the tragedy of Beowulf's life. Beowulf's decision to take Ursula as his mistress is a symptom of his own personal failings and weaknesses.
His inability to control his desires ultimately leads to his death, and Ursula is left alone, without a husband or a protector.
Why did Beowulf Choose Ursula and not Wealtheow?
It is interesting to note that Beowulf, who had already married Queen Wealtheow, had taken Ursula as his mistress.
One possible reason for this could be that Beowulf desired a child, and Wealtheow was not able to provide one.
Wealtheow was portrayed as a dignified and regal queen who fulfilled her duties, but she was unable to bear children.
In the movie, it was suggested that Hrothgar and Wealtheow had chosen Beowulf as their successor, but they were unable to give him an heir. This may have been the reason why Beowulf had a mistress.
Another possible reason could be Beowulf's desire for a younger, more beautiful partner. When Beowulf was young and strong, he had many female admirers, including Wealtheow.
It is possible that as he aged, he sought a partner who was more in line with his youthful memories. Ursula was portrayed as a young, beautiful woman, and Beowulf may have chosen her as his mistress for that reason.
Who was the real target of the Dragon?
In the movie, it was suggested that the dragon's main target was either Wealtheow or Ursula. This is because the dragon was seeking revenge for Grendel's death, and Beowulf's loved ones were his primary targets.
However, it is not entirely clear who the dragon was really after.
One possible interpretation is that the dragon was after Wealtheow. In the movie, Beowulf tells Wealtheow that he had always loved her, indicating that there may have been some unresolved romantic tension between them.
This could have made Wealtheow a prime target for the dragon. Additionally, the dragon could have been targeting Wealtheow as a way of getting revenge on Hrothgar, who had taken her as his wife and denied the dragon his love.
Another possible interpretation is that the dragon was after Ursula. In the movie, Ursula is shown to be deeply in love with Beowulf, and she refuses to leave his side even when he tells her that she is free to go.
This could have made Ursula a prime target for the dragon, as killing her would have been a way of getting revenge on Beowulf.
Final Words
Ursula remains a somewhat enigmatic character in the 2007 Beowulf movie.
While she is portrayed as a young, beautiful mistress of Beowulf, little is known about her background or her motivations. It is unclear why Beowulf chose Ursula over Wealtheow, and it is not entirely clear who the dragon was really after.
Despite these uncertainties, Ursula's character adds an interesting dimension to the story of Beowulf, and her brief appearance in the movie leaves viewers with much to ponder.
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