This is the only known medieval manuscript of the poem of 'Beowulf'. The manuscript is over 1,000 years old (the poem itself may be even older) and was damaged by fire in 1731. This poem is the most important work of Anglo-Saxon literature that has survived. It is written in Old English, a language which looks nothing like Modern English. It is about the fight between the hero, Beowulf, and a bloodthirsty monster called Grendel.
A mixture of history and mythology, the story takes place in the sixth century, in the court of a Danish king called Hrothgar. For many winters, Hrothgar's castle has been terrorized by a horrible monster called Grendel, who comes at night to eat up men in their sleep. Beowulf kills the monster and is celebrated as a hero. But then Grendel's mother arrives to take revenge on Beowulf.
We will never know who wrote the poem or when. It may have come from an old oral tradition before it was written. In any case, it is a thrilling story which has influenced many later writers, including J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings...
Soon you will be able to watch a new Hollywood movie inspired by this ancient poem. It opens in Spain on November 23.
Listen to the voices in the trailer:
Grendel's mother (Angelina Jolie): Are you the one they call Beowulf ? Such a strong man you are... A man like you could own the greatest tale ever sung. Beowulf... stay with me. Give me a son, and I shall make you the greatest king that ever lived. This... I swear. You will forever be king... forever strong... mighty beyond imagination.
Beowulf (Ray Winstone): What are you?
King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins): She's not my curse, not anymore.
2 comments:
Hi Cabo!
First, congratulations on your blog. And now, Is it my impression or all the histories in English are about castles and knights?
At least two or three books we had to read for the school were about this...
Hi Alex, and thanks for your nice comment. Yes, many stories in English literature deal with castles and knights, but many others are about relationships, mysteries, colonialism, you name it! A good introduction is the book "An Outline of English Literature" by G.C. Thomas and G. Roberts. I had to study it when I was a teenager!
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