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So, we sit on the floor in the dark, clustered around a massive collection of candles, and listen to Seamus Haney read Beowulf to us. And it is magic. Ruth Caillouet’s classic English Journal article, “Everything I Need to Know about Teaching I Learned from Beowulf ” is still a useful and inspiring delight.” |
Translations
Seamus Heaney’s translation is particularly accessible, what with only 14 footnotes in the whole text. YouTube audio version (Part 1 @ line 1 and Part 2 @ line 1492).
Kevin Crossley-Holland’s translation for British youngsters is very accessible. Grisly Charles Keeping illustrations mesmerize. Just Imagine Story Guide has great activities for our teenagers.
Group Project comparing six translations, with detailed background, instructions, and chart. More information on Old English Poetics. (Adapted from unknown teacher.) Worksheet comparing and contrasting four translations. Handout with thirteen translations of lines 710-736. |
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of the Epic
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 Classics translation 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 check out the pictorial guide. Beowulf in Hypertext uses The Harvard Classics translation 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.
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).
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. Overly Sarcastic Productions Overview Thug Notes (language warning). Japanese Kamishibai -- a Japanese folk art popular in the 1920s 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. “World Without Heroes” by KISS Essay (yes).
“Beowulf to Batman: The Epic Hero and Pop Culture” by Roger B. Rollin (Abridged 3 pages with Close Reading Worksheet.) (Full 19-page College English article.) -- excellent way to introduce close reading of a critical article. Exerpt from The Art of Beowulf by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur -- Focuses on analyzing each of the three battles. “Heorot and the Guest-Hall of Eden: Symbolic Metaphor and the Design of Beowulf” by Alvin A. Lee -- symbolism of four significant episodes. “Of Beowulf, Boxing,and the Ali Myth” by Edmund Fuller -- exceptional, heartbreaking Wall Street Journal about Ali’s defeat by Spinks. Works for text annotation, vocabulary in context, and powerful openings and endings. A favorite essay. “Universal Hero” by Thomas Napierkowski -- Review of Heaney translation considers why the epic still speaks to us. |
for the Epic
for the Epic
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.
20 Questions for Discussion -- from Tulane University Supporting a Thesis -- critical analysis Sample Beowulf Essay -- “Until the Dragon Comes” by your teacher! BBC In Our Time -- YouTube critical discussion. Beowulf Crossword Puzzle (free from Prestwick House).
Teacher Resources
Exams
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History Alive! The Sutton Hoo Treasure at the British Museum shows us the artwork and everyday objects prized by the Anglo-Saxons.
Teaching History with 100 Objects. BBC Treasures of the Anglo-Saxons covers multiple sites (one hour) -- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. PowerPoint featuring the most famous Sutton Hoo pieces, with activities. In Search of Sutton Hoo Chronicled in The Dig, a Netflix original, the background to the treasure search itself fascinates. Art Girl Analysis of the accuracy of the film and discussion of the archaeological significance. |
. | Enrichment Activities
Benjamin Bagby almost makes me believe I can understand Old English. Beowulf and Grendel (Lines 672-702) in Old English. The Entire Epic -- one hour performance.
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Illustrations from amazon.com
Please let me know if I have miscredited or neglected anyone.
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