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Published byJanel Baldwin Modified over 6 years ago
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Beowulf Ray Winstone as Beowulf in Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, 2007
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Only Connect ... New Directions
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. Only Connect ... New Directions
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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
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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
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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
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Only Connect ... New Directions
Beowulf 5. Techniques “He rippled down the rock, writhing with anger” Alliteration “The hoard-guardian” (the guardian of the treasure = the monster) Kenning Only Connect ... New Directions
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Only Connect ... New Directions
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 Only Connect ... New Directions
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Only Connect ... New Directions
Beowulf 6. kennings from the poem the bent-necked wood the ringed prow The Ship the swan-road the whale-road The Sea Only Connect ... New Directions
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Only Connect ... New Directions
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 Only Connect ... New Directions
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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 Only Connect ... New Directions
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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
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