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Beowulf: Epic Themes and Characters

Ray Winstone portrayed the character of Beowulf in the 2007 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The epic poem Beowulf is considered the oldest surviving poem in Old English and depicts the legendary hero Beowulf's battles against the monster Grendel and later Grendel's mother and a dragon. The poem explores themes of heroism, loyalty, fate, and the conflict between Christianity and paganism in Anglo-Saxon society.

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Chiara Cavoretto
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191 views13 pages

Beowulf: Epic Themes and Characters

Ray Winstone portrayed the character of Beowulf in the 2007 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The epic poem Beowulf is considered the oldest surviving poem in Old English and depicts the legendary hero Beowulf's battles against the monster Grendel and later Grendel's mother and a dragon. The poem explores themes of heroism, loyalty, fate, and the conflict between Christianity and paganism in Anglo-Saxon society.

Uploaded by

Chiara Cavoretto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Beowulf Introduction: This section introduces Beowulf with a cover image from a film adaptation.
  • The Epic Poem: Describes 'Beowulf' as a long narrative poem detailing heroic deeds and supernatural elements.
  • The Background: Provides historical context, noting the poem's unknown authorship and ancient origins.
  • The Characters: Introduces key characters in 'Beowulf' including Beowulf, Hrothgar, and various monsters.
  • Warrior Code in the Poem: Explores the values and traits of warriors such as loyalty, courage, and reputation.
  • Settings: Details the locations where the poem's events take place, such as Heorot and the misty lake.
  • Christian Elements: Discusses references to Christianity found in the poem, including themes of fate and divine will.
  • Supernatural Elements: Highlights the role of supernatural powers and beings, including monsters and mystical locations.
  • Style: Analyzes literary style features like alliteration, elevated language, and the use of kennings.
  • Themes: Explores central themes such as the feud, Christianity, heroism, and the tension between fate and free will.

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

Beowulf
Performer - Culture & Literature
Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella,
Margaret Layton © 2012
Beowulf

1. The epic poem

• It is a long narrative poem.

It deals with:

the recollection of a glorious the brave deeds


past in the history of a country of heroes

• History is the frame, but supernatural elements


are the canvas of the poem.

Performer - Culture & Literature


Beowulf

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


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


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


Beowulf

3. The characters
A scene
of Robert Zemeckis’
‘Beowulf’, 2007

• Grendel, the monster.

• Grendel’s mother.

• The fire-breathing dragon.

Performer - Culture & Literature


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


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


Beowulf

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

where Beowulf fights against


The misty lake
Grendel’s mother

The land of the where Beowulf confronts


Geats in Sweden a fire-breathing dragon

Performer - Culture & Literature


Beowulf

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


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


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


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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