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

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Beowulf
1. The background
The oldest poem written in English more than 1200 years ago.
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.
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3. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Beowulf
5. Techniques
“He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger”
Alliteration
“The hoard-guardian” (the guardian of the treasure = the monster)
Kenning
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Beowulf
5. Techniques
Long lists of leaders and warriors
“They extolled (praised) his heroic nature and exploits (deeds) and gave thanks for his greatness”
Elevated language
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Beowulf
6. kennings from the poem
the bent-necked wood
the ringed prow
The Ship
the swan-road  
the whale-road
The Sea 
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Beowulf
6. kennings from the poem
the leaving of the file
battle-lightning
The Sword
The Battle
the storm of swords
Peter Nicolai Arbo ( ), The last stand of King Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066
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10. 6. kennings from the poem The Dragon The Lord/King
Beowulf
6. kennings from the poem
The Dragon
the twilight-spoiler
the ring-giver
the dispenser of treasure
The Lord/King
Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007
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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.
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