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Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

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1 Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature
Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’’ Beowulf’, 2007 Performer - Culture & Literature Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella, Margaret Layton © 2012

2 the recollection of a glorious past in the history of a country
1. The epic poem It is a long narrative poem. the recollection of a glorious past in the history of a country the brave deeds of heroes It deals with: History is the frame, but supernatural elements are the canvas of the poem. Performer - Culture & Literature

3 1. The epic poem An aristocratic military society is described.
The narrative of the poem is made up of a series of type-scenes – battles, banquets, funerals, voyages. The main theme is the nature of heroic life. The language is vivid and the style is elevated. Performer - Culture & Literature

4 Beowulf 2. The background 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

5 Beowulf 3. The characters 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

6 3. The characters Grendel, the monster. Grendel’s mother.
Beowulf 3. The characters A scene of Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Beowulf’, 2007 Grendel, the monster. Grendel’s mother. The fire-breathing dragon. Performer - Culture & Literature

7 4. Warrior code in the poem
Beowulf 4. Warrior code in the poem 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

8 4. Warrior code in the poem
Beowulf 4. Warrior code in the poem The need to take revenge. Physical strength and courage. The search for glory in this life. The importance of fate. Performer - Culture & Literature

9 The land of the Geats in Sweden
Beowulf 5. Settings where the actions of the poem take place Scandinavia an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, where the poem was probably written Northumbria where Beowulf confronts the monster Grendel Heorot where Beowulf fights against Grendel’s mother The misty lake The land of the Geats in Sweden where Beowulf confronts a fire-breathing dragon Performer - Culture & Literature

10 6. Christian elements Beowulf prays to the Creator of all things, the ruler of the Heavens. 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

11 7. Supernatural elements
Beowulf 7. Supernatural elements Superhuman powers are attributed to Beowulf. Several monsters appear in the poem. The supernatural lake, where Grendel and his mother live, is filled with sea-monsters. Performer - Culture & Literature

12 8. Style Alliteration He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger
Beowulf 8. Style 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

13 9. Themes The feud = the tragic waste.
Beowulf 9. 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. 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


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