beowulf beowulf performer - culture & literature

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

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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

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Page 1: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

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

BeowulfPerformer - Culture & Literature

Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella,Margaret Layton © 2012

Page 2: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

1. The epic poem

• It is a long narrative poem.

• History is the frame, but supernatural elements are the canvas of the poem.

the recollection of a glorious past in the history of a country

the brave deedsof heroes

It deals with:

Page 3: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

1. The epic poem

Page 4: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.).

2. The background

Page 5: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

3. The characters

Page 6: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• Grendel, the monster.

• Grendel’s mother.

• The fire-breathing dragon.

A scene of Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Beowulf’, 2007

3. The characters

Page 7: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

4. Warrior code in the poem

Page 8: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• The need to take revenge.

• Physical strength and courage.

• The search for glory in this life.

• The importance of fate.

4. Warrior code in the poem

Page 9: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

5. Settings

Scandinavia where the actions of the poem take place

Northumbria an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, where the poem was probably written

Heorot where Beowulf confronts the monster Grendel

The misty lake where Beowulf fights against Grendel’s mother

The land of the Geats in Sweden

where Beowulf confronts a fire-breathing dragon

Page 10: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

6. Christian elements

Page 11: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

7. Supernatural elements

Page 12: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• AlliterationHe rippled down the rock, writhing with anger

• Extensive use of kenningsThe hoard-guardian (the guardian of the treasure = the monster)The ring-giver (the king)

• Elevated languageThey extolled (praised) his heroic nature

and exploits (deeds) and gave thanks for his greatness

• Long lists of leaders and warriors

8. Style

Page 13: Beowulf Beowulf Performer - Culture & Literature

Beowulf

Performer - Culture & Literature

• 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.

9. Themes