Beowulf

A place to discuss your favorite authors and poets, Christian and secular
Post a reply

Beowulf

Postby Linksquest » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:56 pm

I have just discovered the awsomeness of this classic masterpiece! I absolutely love the poetic imagery in it!

"Cheerful the man able to look to the Lord at his death-day, to find peace in the Father's embrace"~lines 186-188 in the "New Verse Translation"

I am not finished with it yet, but i was pleasantly surprised. We have to read it for AP english, so i was expecting it to be boring... but... it is amazing! :thumb:

and there are references to Giants and Elves and Dragons... and there are Kings! and Ships! XD i love it!!!!!!!!!!
DO YOU FLY FOR FUN?!

I give props to these ANIMEs/MANGAs: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, AZUMANGA DAIOH, MONSTER, SAILOR MOON SERIES, AKAGE NO ANNE, BOTTLE FAIRY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, PARANOIA AGENT, YAKITATE!! JAPAN, UTAWARERUMONO, KANON, FULL MOON WO SAGASHITE, & YOTSUBA&!

LINKSQUEST's PASSIONS are: READING (especially books by authors: Lois Lowry, L.M. Montgomery, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis) WRITING, SINGING, ACTING, COMPOSING, PIANO, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, COOKING, MYST series, ZELDA series,OLD TIME RADIO , New Time Radio, SPANISH, LANGUAGES, and the list goes on.
Unlucky Secret Bump Thread Member #13

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT ENERGY BILLS!"
User avatar
Linksquest
 
Posts: 1859
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:14 am
Location: MerryLand
Top

Postby Warrior 4 Jesus » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:43 pm

I tried reading it and couldn't understand the old English too well. I know this was a huge influence on Tolkien though.
User avatar
Warrior 4 Jesus
 
Posts: 4844
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:52 pm
Location: The driest continent that isn't Antarctica.
Top

Postby Technomancer » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:11 am

Warrior 4 Jesus wrote:I tried reading it and couldn't understand the old English too well. I know this was a huge influence on Tolkien though.


There are modern english translations, I don't think too many people read the original Anglo-Saxon version.

While it's a great story (I loved it when I was a kid), you might also be interested in reading John Gardner's 'Grendel', which offers an intriguing retelling of the story.
The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry—is not even a "subject"—but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.

Neil Postman
(The End of Education)

Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge

Isaac Aasimov
User avatar
Technomancer
 
Posts: 2379
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:47 am
Location: Tralfamadore
Top

Postby ChristianKitsune » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:31 am

Ahhh just finished reading this last week in my English Class... Sad thing is..we high school students don't get teh entire story..-.- only like 800 lines of the 3200 lines...WHAAAAAA!

Anyway.. I so passed the test on this puppy. WOOOOOOOT!

Good Story...actually...not so keen on all the mixings with Pagan and Christian Elements..but...meh.. I like the fact that they use Kennings and Caesuras as well as Alliterations... that made the story flow better..

I wonder if Beowulf is ever made into an anime, will they make him look all Bishonen or not....*hmmmm...*
ImageImage
Stick Monkey Chronicles Web-Manga Hosted by: The Project
User avatar
ChristianKitsune
 
Posts: 5420
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:00 pm
Location: In my sketchbook of wonderment and puffy pink clouds! *\^o^/*
Top

Postby TurkishMonky » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:09 am

So CR, were you able to read the Dragon part of the story? (last part, where b. dies) if you don't, look it up. that's the best part of the story. The mixings are because it is a "christian" storyteller telling a pagan story... so he adds in stuff about God's will, but the characters in the story are basically pagans, with little christian influence.

anywho, Wiglaf is my favorite character in the story (the knight who helps b with the dragon)
User avatar
TurkishMonky
 
Posts: 808
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:07 am
Top

Postby Myoti » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:45 am

I'm reading a modern translation of the story (tried reading the original before, too... much... @.@ ), and I just got to the part where Grendel's arm gets ripped off. XP

It is really good, though. I thought I would have been bored with it, but the author of this version managed to do it well without really leaving the style of the poem.
Image
User avatar
Myoti
 
Posts: 2888
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:44 pm
Location: SECRET WEBSITE
Top

Postby kazekami » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:06 am

I love this one. I have a bilingual version. Anglo saxon on one side and modern english on the other. I only know a bit of anglo saxon from my History of the english laungague class. We only learned a few words and how to pronounce it. And discussed alphabet differences and sound shifts. Now middle english I can read with only looking up a word here and there. But Anglo saxon, no. So modern English is for me. I'd even take Early modern English such as shakesphere used. But Beowulf is an awsome poem. I read it on my own when I was a sophmore in high school. Got my own copy of the poem which someone borrowed and never returned. My grandma bought me my current hardcover one. I remeber in my seinor english book they actaully talked about Tolkein and Beowulf. Can't remeber entirely what it said. Definetly one of my favorite epic peoms. =D
Meow!

adopted by spirit-me-away and CephasVII

proud adopter of:
Azier the Swordsman, Sakura's Wings(kitty form), Sora(kingdom Hearts), Squall Leonhart(FFVIII and KH), Li Syaoran(Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles),
kurogane (Tsubasa Resevoir Chronicles) blessedsolitude, Animagus24, scarletfire818, LeaChan-4ever, teen4truth, Starfire1, Kura Ookami, 1BalloonPopper, Sheenar, Dunedan, Fantasy Dreamer, starfire, zelda, Erin

I like swords. They are nice and shiny and sharp. :jump:

I Love
^__^
( ^.^)
(\/ \/)
(,,)(,,)
T3h Neko
KITTIES WILL RULE THE UNIVERSE!!!!
User avatar
kazekami
 
Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:37 am
Location: Washington State
Top

Postby CDLviking » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:32 pm

We read it in our medeival lit class, and I was soon after dubbed Hrothgar, Lord of the Mead Hall.
User avatar
CDLviking
 
Posts: 1794
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:28 pm
Location: Phoenix
Top

Postby kazekami » Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:56 pm

my mom calls my grandma Grendel. heh.
Meow!

adopted by spirit-me-away and CephasVII

proud adopter of:
Azier the Swordsman, Sakura's Wings(kitty form), Sora(kingdom Hearts), Squall Leonhart(FFVIII and KH), Li Syaoran(Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles),
kurogane (Tsubasa Resevoir Chronicles) blessedsolitude, Animagus24, scarletfire818, LeaChan-4ever, teen4truth, Starfire1, Kura Ookami, 1BalloonPopper, Sheenar, Dunedan, Fantasy Dreamer, starfire, zelda, Erin

I like swords. They are nice and shiny and sharp. :jump:

I Love
^__^
( ^.^)
(\/ \/)
(,,)(,,)
T3h Neko
KITTIES WILL RULE THE UNIVERSE!!!!
User avatar
kazekami
 
Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:37 am
Location: Washington State
Top

Postby Linksquest » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:03 pm

kazekami wrote:my mom calls my grandma Grendel. heh.


o.O! that's so terrible! XD
DO YOU FLY FOR FUN?!

I give props to these ANIMEs/MANGAs: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, AZUMANGA DAIOH, MONSTER, SAILOR MOON SERIES, AKAGE NO ANNE, BOTTLE FAIRY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, PARANOIA AGENT, YAKITATE!! JAPAN, UTAWARERUMONO, KANON, FULL MOON WO SAGASHITE, & YOTSUBA&!

LINKSQUEST's PASSIONS are: READING (especially books by authors: Lois Lowry, L.M. Montgomery, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis) WRITING, SINGING, ACTING, COMPOSING, PIANO, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, COOKING, MYST series, ZELDA series,OLD TIME RADIO , New Time Radio, SPANISH, LANGUAGES, and the list goes on.
Unlucky Secret Bump Thread Member #13

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT ENERGY BILLS!"
User avatar
Linksquest
 
Posts: 1859
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:14 am
Location: MerryLand
Top

Postby Mr. SmartyPants » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:10 pm

I do NOT want to read this... T_T Fantastical stories are bleh for me

BUT my school will probably make us...
User avatar
Mr. SmartyPants
 
Posts: 12541
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 9:00 am
Top

Postby Linksquest » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:43 pm

Mr. SmartyPants wrote:I do NOT want to read this... T_T Fantastical stories are bleh for me

BUT my school will probably make us...


so you posted... because? LOl... i love it!!! nooooo! fantastical stuff is amazing!
DO YOU FLY FOR FUN?!

I give props to these ANIMEs/MANGAs: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, AZUMANGA DAIOH, MONSTER, SAILOR MOON SERIES, AKAGE NO ANNE, BOTTLE FAIRY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, PARANOIA AGENT, YAKITATE!! JAPAN, UTAWARERUMONO, KANON, FULL MOON WO SAGASHITE, & YOTSUBA&!

LINKSQUEST's PASSIONS are: READING (especially books by authors: Lois Lowry, L.M. Montgomery, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis) WRITING, SINGING, ACTING, COMPOSING, PIANO, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, COOKING, MYST series, ZELDA series,OLD TIME RADIO , New Time Radio, SPANISH, LANGUAGES, and the list goes on.
Unlucky Secret Bump Thread Member #13

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT ENERGY BILLS!"
User avatar
Linksquest
 
Posts: 1859
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:14 am
Location: MerryLand
Top

Postby CDLviking » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:10 pm

Yeah, it should be Grendel's mother.
User avatar
CDLviking
 
Posts: 1794
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:28 pm
Location: Phoenix
Top

Postby Rachel » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:10 pm

We had to read the last part of this in my english class and I really liked it. I was glad he died.
:rock: I mourn for those who never knew you



Click here for kick booty music!!

American by birth, Texan by the grace of God


This is where you can find me if I'm not on for a while
User avatar
Rachel
 
Posts: 1056
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:00 am
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Top

Postby Linksquest » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:42 pm

Rachel wrote:We had to read the last part of this in my english class and I really liked it. I was glad he died.

<<;;; why? ehh... o.O!!!
DO YOU FLY FOR FUN?!

I give props to these ANIMEs/MANGAs: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, AZUMANGA DAIOH, MONSTER, SAILOR MOON SERIES, AKAGE NO ANNE, BOTTLE FAIRY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, PARANOIA AGENT, YAKITATE!! JAPAN, UTAWARERUMONO, KANON, FULL MOON WO SAGASHITE, & YOTSUBA&!

LINKSQUEST's PASSIONS are: READING (especially books by authors: Lois Lowry, L.M. Montgomery, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis) WRITING, SINGING, ACTING, COMPOSING, PIANO, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, COOKING, MYST series, ZELDA series,OLD TIME RADIO , New Time Radio, SPANISH, LANGUAGES, and the list goes on.
Unlucky Secret Bump Thread Member #13

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT ENERGY BILLS!"
User avatar
Linksquest
 
Posts: 1859
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:14 am
Location: MerryLand
Top

Postby Technomancer » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:18 pm

Mr. SmartyPants wrote:I do NOT want to read this... T_T Fantastical stories are bleh for me

BUT my school will probably make us...


Well, it's kind of the foundation of English literature.
The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry—is not even a "subject"—but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.

Neil Postman
(The End of Education)

Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge

Isaac Aasimov
User avatar
Technomancer
 
Posts: 2379
Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:47 am
Location: Tralfamadore
Top

Postby kazekami » Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:23 am

CDLviking wrote:Yeah, it should be Grendel's mother.


heh heh thats true.
Meow!

adopted by spirit-me-away and CephasVII

proud adopter of:
Azier the Swordsman, Sakura's Wings(kitty form), Sora(kingdom Hearts), Squall Leonhart(FFVIII and KH), Li Syaoran(Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles),
kurogane (Tsubasa Resevoir Chronicles) blessedsolitude, Animagus24, scarletfire818, LeaChan-4ever, teen4truth, Starfire1, Kura Ookami, 1BalloonPopper, Sheenar, Dunedan, Fantasy Dreamer, starfire, zelda, Erin

I like swords. They are nice and shiny and sharp. :jump:

I Love
^__^
( ^.^)
(\/ \/)
(,,)(,,)
T3h Neko
KITTIES WILL RULE THE UNIVERSE!!!!
User avatar
kazekami
 
Posts: 809
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:37 am
Location: Washington State
Top

Postby Linksquest » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:15 pm

Technomancer wrote:Well, it's kind of the foundation of English literature.


ROFL. So true. XD. Tech... that was hilarious!
DO YOU FLY FOR FUN?!

I give props to these ANIMEs/MANGAs: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, AZUMANGA DAIOH, MONSTER, SAILOR MOON SERIES, AKAGE NO ANNE, BOTTLE FAIRY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, PARANOIA AGENT, YAKITATE!! JAPAN, UTAWARERUMONO, KANON, FULL MOON WO SAGASHITE, & YOTSUBA&!

LINKSQUEST's PASSIONS are: READING (especially books by authors: Lois Lowry, L.M. Montgomery, Ray Bradbury, C.S. Lewis) WRITING, SINGING, ACTING, COMPOSING, PIANO, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, COOKING, MYST series, ZELDA series,OLD TIME RADIO , New Time Radio, SPANISH, LANGUAGES, and the list goes on.
Unlucky Secret Bump Thread Member #13

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT ENERGY BILLS!"
User avatar
Linksquest
 
Posts: 1859
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:14 am
Location: MerryLand
Top

Postby mitsuki lover » Thu Sep 29, 2005 2:20 pm

I have a copy that explains some of the names and relationships at the back of the book also a couple charts showing various family trees.
The whole adventure takes place in the region around southern Sweden and Denmark.
User avatar
mitsuki lover
 
Posts: 8486
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:00 pm
Top

Postby SnowLeopard » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:45 pm

I LOOOVVED this book. It gave me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I was intruding on a haunted house, and one of the ghosts was telling me the story.
Sounds silly, but it's true.
Image


I have a mind like a steel trap. Rusty, unsafe, and illegal in 48 states.

Forgive my idiosyncrasies, for if they did not exist, neither would I.
User avatar
SnowLeopard
 
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:32 pm
Location: Cyberspace
Top

Postby Godly Paladin » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:17 pm

Doesn't Beowulf end with a multiple-page run-on sentence?
ImageImage
User avatar
Godly Paladin
 
Posts: 2016
Joined: Sun May 23, 2004 10:21 am
Location: Missouri
Top

Postby Shadowchild » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:20 pm

My mother read this book to me when I was little. I loved it. I used to have the tape to it but I seem to have misplaced it...
[color=indigo]ADOPTED BY:Nami, CephasVII, spectroking, Starfire1
ADOPTED: teen4truth, spirit-me-away, ky kiske, Sage_AlKahira, dragon's bane, phinny5608, mastersquirrel, LeaChan-4ever, Dytae, Tom Dincht, Jack Bond, Mega, meg, Celestra, JadeFox
PET AND GRANDDAUGHTER OF: Banana-chan
SISTER OF: girl ninja, Starfire1, and rusty789, Batosai [/color]


I'm looking for someone to quench my thirst - for all eternity.
User avatar
Shadowchild
 
Posts: 756
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:02 am
Top

Postby mitsuki lover » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:52 pm

Might depend on what modern version you read.The one I have has a name glossary and family trees of the main characters at the back.
The Geats were from southern Sweden.
User avatar
mitsuki lover
 
Posts: 8486
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:00 pm
Top
Post a reply

Return to Book Corner

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 52 guests

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
 

Loading

Please wait.