Beowulf
Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’’ Beowulf’, 2007
Performer - Culture & Literature
Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella,
Margaret Layton © 2012
Beowulf
1. The epic poem
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It is a long narrative poem.
It deals with:
the recollection of a glorious
past in the history of a country
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the brave deeds
of heroes
History is the frame, but supernatural elements
are the canvas of the poem.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
1. The epic poem
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An aristocratic military society is described.
The narrative of the poem is made up of a series
of type-scenes – battles, banquets, funerals, voyages.
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The main theme is the nature of heroic life.
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The language is vivid and the style is elevated.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
2. The background
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The oldest surviving poem written in Anglo-Saxon
more than 1200 years ago.
The poet is unknown.
The date of composition is unknown (from the 8th century
to the 11th century).
It deals with a time following the initial invasion of England
by Germanic tribes in 449 (5th-6th cent.).
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
3. The characters
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Beowulf, the war leader
of the Geats, a group of
people in what is now
southern Sweden.
Hrothgar, the King
of the Danes.
The Swedes.
Wiglaf, Beowulf’s
warrior.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
3. The characters
A scene
of Robert Zemeckis’
‘Beowulf’, 2007
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Grendel, the monster.
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Grendel’s mother.
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The fire-breathing dragon.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
4. Warrior code in the poem
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Loyalty to the king.
King
generous, protected
by his warriors / thanes
Reputation
thanes were
expected to be loyal, brave,
courageous; kings were expected
to be generous and hospitable.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
4. Warrior code in the poem
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The need to take revenge.
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Physical strength and courage.
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The search for glory in this life.
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The importance of fate.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
5. Settings
Scandinavia
where the actions of the poem
take place
Northumbria
an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, where
the poem was probably written
Heorot
where Beowulf confronts the
monster Grendel
The misty lake
where Beowulf fights against
Grendel’s mother
The land of the
Geats in Sweden
Performer - Culture & Literature
where Beowulf confronts
a fire-breathing dragon
Beowulf
6. Christian elements
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Beowulf prays to the Creator of all things, the ruler
of the Heavens.
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God’s will: identical with fate (wyrd).
Grendel: the descendent of Cain, the first murderer
of the Old Testament.
References to the Old Testament.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
7. Supernatural elements
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Superhuman powers are attributed to Beowulf.
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Several monsters appear in the poem.
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The supernatural lake, where Grendel and his mother
live, is filled with sea-monsters.
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
8. Style
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Alliteration
He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger
Extensive use of kennings
The hoard-guardian
(the guardian of the treasure = the monster)
The ring-giver (the king)
Elevated language
They extolled (praised) his heroic nature
and exploits (deeds) and gave thanks
for his greatness
Long lists of leaders and warriors
Performer - Culture & Literature
Beowulf
9. Themes
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The feud = the tragic waste.
A system of revenge is repeated in the poem:
feud
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peace
feud
The eternal conflict between dark and light, good
and evil.
Tension between the heroic code and
Christianity.
Fate.
Courage as the quality that can stand against Fate.
The importance of the past.
Performer - Culture & Literature