Beowulf is an Old English epic poem in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars; the only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced between 975 and 1025. Scholars call the anonymous author the "Beowulf poet". The story is set in pagan Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland and becomes king of the Geats. Fifty years later, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is mortally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants cremate his body and erect a tower on a headland in his memory.
| Author(s) | Unknown |
| Language | West Saxon dialect of Old English |
| Date | disputed (c. 700–1000 AD) |
| State of existence | Manuscript suffered damage from fire in 1731 |
| Manuscript(s) | Cotton Vitellius A. xv (c. 975–1010 AD) |
| First printed edition | Thorkelin (1815) |
| Genre | Epic heroic writing |
| Verse form | Alliterative verse |
| Length | c. 3182 lines |
| Subject | The battles of Beowulf, the Geatish hero, in youth and old age |
| Personages | Beowulf, Hygelac, Hrothgar, Wealhþeow, Hrothulf, Æschere, Unferth, Grendel, Grendel's mother, Wiglaf, Hildeburh. |
About Beowulf
Epic fantasy film captured through a 3D motion capture process about warrior Beowulf's fight against the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother.
Achievement of Beowulf
The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis who previously used the motion capture process on the film The Polar Express.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Beowulf
Beowulf Category.. On Translating Beowulf -"On Translating Beowulf" is an essay by J. R. R. Tolkien which discusses the difficulties faced by anyone attempting to translate the Old English heroic-elegiac poem Beowulf into modern English.. Heliand, a Germanic epic and the largest known work of written Old Saxon.. Denmark in fiction.. Sweden in fiction.. Germanic heroic legends.. 9th-century books.
