Beowulf
Video Lecture of Mr. Chilton about the Presentation above: Click here.
Etymology Dictionary for Old English Word Project: Click here
Original Manuscript of Beowulf: Click Here
Now that we've had a chance to understand the context of Beowulf through these videos, we're going to read some of it online.
Follow this link to the reading of Beowulf. I would like you to read chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and then 50 years pass of Beowulf's life pass and then I would like you to read chapters 31 through 41. (Don't worry, they're very short chapters).
When you have read all of the chapters and have watched the video tutorials to Beowulf, take the quiz listed below.
Link to Beowulf Reading: Click here
(and yes, we're reading the text from Sparknotes.com...it's the real deal, not shortened or watered down and it's the best source online)
.
Online Versions
of the Epic
Editions of Beowulf -- No one could loveBeowulf quite as much as Syd Allan! Check out his Beowulf Translations for links to virtually every edition written, even comic and film versions.
.
Extra Credit Options for the Epic:
Only 50 Points Allowed
The Beowulf Boast -- Write an original boast about yourself, in Anglo-saxon style, and perform it for the class (50 points).
Epic Movie -- Watch an epic movie from an approved list and write an essay analyzing its epic qualities (50 points)
Modern Writing -- Write a modern version, analyze the epic's relationship to modern terrorism, or apply concepts from the epic to your own life (50 points).
Essay Topic for Beowulf -- Write an essay on the topic given here.
Book of Kells -- Read the article about the Book of Kells, look at the sample images provided, do additional research yourself, and write a composition explaining the ways in which the illuminated designs can be connected to the structure of the epic Beowulf.
Outside Reading and/or Viewing -- Read one of the following versions of the Beowulf story and write a comparison contrast essay.
Just for Review
20 Questions for Discussion -- from Tulane University
Supporting a Thesis -- critical analysis
Adventures of Beowulf is a modern translation by David Breeden, a creative writing professor at Schreiner University, is very accessible. Includes excellent illustrations, including the drawings used on this page.
Annotated Beowulf uses The Harvard Classicstranslation by Frances B. Grummere with footnotes.
Beowulf in Cyberspace is a new modern translation with interesting original art. The site itself is quirky because of fancy scripting, but the glossary and illustrations are worth clicking a few times. Also checkm out the pictorial guide.
Beowulf in Hypertext uses The Harvard Classicstranslation by Frances B. Grummere with extensive sidenotes and explanations.
Electronic Beowulf is an image-based digitized version of the original manuscript.
A Work in Progress is Tim Romano's modern translation.
Bulfinch Chapter 42 from Mythology is only a summary of Beowulf, but the links to background materials, illustrations, explanations, and analyses makes a visit worthwhile.
Just the Facts
Warrior Gear -- imaginative painting showing how King Rædwald might have looked wearing the full regalia from Sutton Hoo (you may click on details of the royal war-gear in that picture for more information).
Just for Fun
Beowulf Shrinklit by Maurice Sagoff -- retells the whole story in rhyming couplets.
Beocat by Henry Beard -- a poetic parody.
"Beowulf" by Richard Wilbur -- a modern elegy.
Japanese Kamishibai -- a Japanese folk art popular in the 1920's and 1930s. The kamishibai cards had a story, illustrations, and a script on the back. Includes directions and middle-school samples based on the Robert Nye translation.
Articles
Exerpt from The Art of Beowulf by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur
"Heorot and the Guest-Hall of Eden: Symbolic Metaphor and the Design of Beowulf" by Alvin A. Lee
Graphic Novel
Illustrations from amazon.com
Special thanks to colleagues on the AP ListServ who shared their assignments and materials.
Please let me know if I have miscredited or neglected anyone.
Thanks to Ms. Effinger for the material of this site.