Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis Beowulf

Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007 Beowulf

Beowulf 1. The background • The oldest poem written in English more than 1200 years ago. • Anonymous and composed in the first half of the 8 th century. • It deals with a time following the initial invasion of England by Germanic tribes in 449 (5 th~6 th Cent. ). • It contains Christian elements; the pagan deities are removed. Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 2. The characters • The Geats (Beowulf; his retainer, Wiglaf; the Eorls). • The Danes (King Hrothgar). • The Swedes. • Grendel, the monster. • Grendel’s mother. A scene of Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007 • The fire-breathing dragon. Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 3. The values of warrior society in the poem • Loyalty and kinship. • The need to take revenge. • Physical strength and courage. • The search for glory in this life. • The importance of fate. Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 4. Christian elements • Beowulf prays to the Creator of all things, the ruler of the Heavens. • God's will: identical with fate (wyrd). • Grendel: descendent of Cain. • Reference to the Old Testament. Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 5. Techniques • Alliteration “He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger” • Kenning “The hoard-guardian” (the guardian of the treasure = the monster) Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 5. Techniques • Elevated language “They extolled (praised) his heroic nature and exploits (deeds) and gave thanks for his greatness” • Long lists of leaders and warriors Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 6. KENNINGS from the poem the bent-necked wood The Ship the ringed prow The Sea the swan-road the whale-road Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 6. KENNINGS from the poem war friend The Sword battle-light The Battle Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831 -1892), The last stand of King Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 the storm of swords Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 6. KENNINGS from the poem The Dragon the twilight-spoiler the ring-giver The Lord/King the dispenser of treasure Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007 Only Connect. . . New Directions

Beowulf 7. Themes • The Feud = the tragic waste. A system of revenge is repeated in the poem: feud peace feud. • The eternal conflict between dark and light, good and evil. • Fate • Courage as the quality that can stand against Fate. Only Connect. . . New Directions