Beowulf

Beowulf is an Old English Epic poem written between the 8th and the 11th century in Anglo-Saxon times. 
 
It is the story of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero.
Beowulf comes to the aid of King Hrothgar, whose great hall is plagued by the monster Grendel.

✐ But before we get started, what is an epic poem? Write down some characteristics of epic poems?

Beowulf was originally written in Old English , which would be very difficult to understand.

✐ What do we mean by Old English or Anglo Saxon? 

You can listen to a fragment here.


But don't worry, you can read a short adapted  version here: Beowulf


To learn more about the poem, the Angle-Saxons and the history of English, watch the video





...and have a look at this presentation:

The Anglo-Saxons and Beowulf from k8would


Beowulf has been adapted into film several times. There is even a game!

Watch an animated version here.


 

Beowulf

Beowulf is an Old English Epic poem written between the 8th and the 11th century in Anglo-Saxon times. 
 
It is the story of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero.
Beowulf comes to the aid of King Hrothgar, whose great hall is plagued by the monster Grendel.

Traditionally, an epic poem is a long, serious, poetic narrative about a significant event, often featuring a hero. Before the development of writing, epic poems were memorized and played an important part in maintaining a record of the great deeds and history of a culture. Later, they were written down and the tradition for this kind of poem continued. Epics often feature the following: a hero who embodies the values of a culture or ethnic group; something vital that depends on the success of the hero's actions; a broad setting, sometimes encompassing the entire world; intervention by supernatural beings.  Can you think of any other examples?

Beowulf was originally written in Old English, which would be very difficult to understand.
You can listen to a fragment here.


But don't worry, you can read a short adapted  version here: Beowulf






To learn more about the poem, the Angle-Saxons and the history of English, watch the video





...and have a look at this presentation:

The Anglo-Saxons and Beowulf from k8would


Beowulf has been adapted into film several times. There is even a game!

Watch an animated version here.