Beowulf was, first, an oral epic, recounted by the Danes and other Scandinavian tribes who came in conquest to the British Isles in the 5th century. Over the next 400 years, the legend was transformed and expanded upon, often to suit particular aims and desires of those telling the tale. For example, when the Pope sent Roman missionaries north to spread Christianity around 800AD, a wealth of biblical references worked their way into
Beowulf. Today, countless versions of
Beowulf exist, some as comics, some as cartoons, some as children's stories, and some as serious academic feats. The tale has been retold on YouTube and on the silver screen, set to music, and turned into a video game.
Your task is to explore the numerous translations from Old or Anglo-Saxon English to today's more common vernaculars. You might visit the University of Virginia's English Department website for a more "scholarly translation" or listen to a BBC broadcast of the tale. Note how each translation uses
Beowulf as a vehicle for promoting a particular message.
***********************For Friday, February 5, 2011 you need to:
***Choose three
Beowulf translations and write a brief "Works Cited" correctly noting your sources (video, audio, written, artistic versions, etc.) using APA, MLA, or Chicago styles. (Your book doesn't count as a translation!)
. . .15 points
***Pick a particular passage of
Beowulf and write your own, original translation (based on the other translations you've read). Remember to add your own style to the piece. Remember to roughly follow the
manner in which
Beowulf was written (i.e. This is
not an essay!) Even though, you're recounting a tale told many times, you can still be CREATIVE. Weave a message of your own into the tale. Proofread your work. . .spelling and grammar do count.
. . .50 points
***Who is your hero? Write a paragraph or two comparing and contrasting your hero's strengths and weaknesses with those of Beowulf. Remember that if you choose a human as your hero, it is important to present both the positive and negative aspects of your character. . .the same goes for Beowulf. Again, proofread!
. . . .35 points
BONUS POINTS. . .
**In your translation include the following literary elements: caesura, kenning, alliteration. Highlight the elements, and note them in the margins. . .1-3 points per element usage depending on quality
**Include an original artistic translation from
Beowulf. 1-10 points depending on quality
Margery Kempe, mother of 14 children and a 15th century woman of faith, was the first known person to use the English language to share her autobiography. Kempe's "book" was rather short, yet certainly direct. She used the story of her life to convey a powerful message of conversion to her readers. She wrote not only to retell her life's story, but to transform the lives of others.
Literary elements (direct and indirect characterization. . .be sure to underline/highlight & note in margin). . .20 points
