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• The oldest poem written in English more than 1200 years ago.
1. The background
Beowulf
• Anonymous and composed in the first half of the 8th century.
• It deals with a time following the initial invasion of England by Germanic tribes in 449 (5th~6th Cent.).
• It contains Christian elements; the pagan deities are removed.
Only Connect ... New Directions
• The Geats (Beowulf; his retainer, Wiglaf; the Eorls).
2. The characters
A scene of Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007
Beowulf
• The Danes (King Hrothgar).
• The Swedes.
• Grendel, the monster.
• Grendel’s mother.
• The fire-breathing dragon.Only Connect ... New Directions
• Loyalty and kinship.
3. The values of warrior society in the poem
Beowulf
• 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 prays to the Creator of all things, the ruler of the Heavens.
4. Christian elements
Beowulf
• God's will: identical with fate (wyrd).
• Grendel: descendent of Cain.
• Reference to the Old Testament.
Only Connect ... New Directions
• Kenning
“The hoard-guardian” (the guardian of the treasure = the monster)
• Alliteration
5. Techniques
Beowulf
“He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger”
Only Connect ... New Directions
• Elevated language
5. Techniques
Beowulf
“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
the swan-road
the whale-road
the bent-necked wood the ringed prow The Ship
6. KENNINGS from the poem
Beowulf
The Sea
Only Connect ... New Directions
The Sword
6. KENNINGS from the poem
Beowulf
the storm of swords
Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831-1892), The last stand of King Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066
the leaving of the file
battle-lightning
The Battle
Only Connect ... New Directions
the ring-giver
the dispenser of treasure
The Dragon
Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007
Beowulf
the twilight-spoiler
6. KENNINGS from the poem
The Lord/King
Only Connect ... New Directions