List of artistic depictions of Beowulf

      This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

      Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem of anonymous authorship. Its creation dates to between the 8th[1] and the 11th century, the only surviving manuscript dating to circa 1010.[2] At 3183 lines, it is notable for its length. It has risen to national epic status in England.[3]

      Beowulf has been adapted a number of times in cinema, on the stage, and in books.

      Cinema and television adaptations and references

      Adaptations

      ↑Jump back a section

      Literature

      Novels

      • Eaters of the Dead: The Beowulf story, in combination with a fictionalized 10th century Arabic narrative of Ahmad ibn Fadlan created by the author Michael Crichton, was used as the basis for this novel. This story is portrayed in the movie The 13th Warrior.
      • Grendel: The Beowulf story is retold from Grendel's point of view in this (1971) novel by John Gardner.
      • The Ring-givers: a novel by W. H. Canaway (1958). It is historical novel based closely on the poem.[10]
      • Whose Song is Sung: A 1996 novel by Frank Schaefer. The narrative is told from the point of view of a dwarf named Musuclus, who becomes an advisor to Emperor Heraclius in the last days of the Roman Empire. Eventually, he makes his way north and becomes a traveling companion to Beowulf.[11]
      • Neil Gaiman: The Monarch of the Glen: a novella published in his anthology Fragile Things involves "modernized Beowulf characters.";[12]Bay Wolf: a poem which retells the Beowulf story and appears in Smoke and Mirrors.[13]
      • As a tie-in with the 2007 film, a novelization of the film was published in September of that year and written by Caitlin R. Kiernan.
      • The Heorot series: science-fiction novels, by Steven Barnes, Jerry Pournelle, and Larry Niven, is named after the stronghold of King Hrothgar and partly parallels Beowulf.

      Graphic novels

      M J Weller's Beowulf Cartoon, (Writers Forum/Visual Associations, 2004)
      • Beowulf by Gareth Hinds, Published by TheComic.com (2000) and Candlewick Press (2007). A faithful adaptation with historically-detailed, fully painted illustrations.[14]
      • Beowulf: The Graphic Novel[15] by Stephen L. Stern and Christopher Steininger [5] will be released by AAM/Markosia in October, 2007.[16]
      • Beowulf Cartoon: Bookwork by Michael J. Weller with introduction by Bill Griffiths.
      • Kid Beowulf (Spring 2008) by Alexis E. Fajardo. A series of eight graphic novels, that depict the characters of Beowulf in the years leading up to the epic poem.[17] Published by Bowler Hat Comics[18]
      • Biowulf by David Hutchinson. "A cyberpunk adaptation of the classic tale of Beowulf." Published by Antarctic Press in 2007.[19]

      References

      ↑Jump back a section

      Music

      • Grendel: A song by Marillion is the B side to their first single, "Market Square Heroes" (1982). The recorded version of the song is 17:40 long, while the live versions regularly ran to over 20 minutes.[20]
      • The Lament for Beowulf: (1925), op. 25, by American composer Howard Hanson (1896–1981). Large-scale work for chorus and orchestra. Translation by W. Morris and A. Wyatt.[21]
      • Beowulf: Scyld's Burial (2009), by composer Ezequiel Viñao. For SATB and percussion quartet. Translation by E. Viñao.
      • Beowulf: (2010) by historyteachers Set to 99 Luftballoons by Nena
      • Beowulf: A Suite for Ancient Instruments (2000) by American composer John Craton (b. 1953). A multi-movement work depicting the life and exploits of Beowulf, scored for ancient instruments. The composer also created a version for modern orchestra in 2005.[22]
      ↑Jump back a section

      Opera and theatre

      • 2008: Beowulf - A Thousand Years of Baggage: a SongPlay by Banana Bag & Bodice. Text by Jason Craig, Music by Dave Malloy[23]
      • 2007: Beowulf: The Heart Off Guard Theatre Company produced a musical adaptation for children of the Beowulf story at the Edinburgh Fringe. Directed by Guy Jones with a score by Michael Betteridge.[24]
      • 2006: Grendel: an opera composed by Elliot Goldenthal, directed by Julie Taymor, and commissioned by Los Angeles Opera; it was given its world premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on June 8, 2006, with bass Eric Owens starring in the title role.[25][26]
      • 2005: Beowulf: rock opera composed by Lenny Picket, lyrics by Lenny Pickett and Lindsey Turner, produced October–November 2005 by the Irish Repertory Theatre, directed by Charlotte Moore [27]
      • 1993. Beowulf, op. 17, chamber opera (or dramatic cantata) in one act for a chorus of young voices, light soprano, light tenor and baritone soli, by Richard Lambert.[28]
      • 1984: Beowulf: adapted for live performance by the founding members of Theatre in the Ground.[29]
      • 1974: Beowulf: A Musical Epic: a rock opera by Victor Davies (music) and Betty Jane Wylie (libretto), with Chad Allen as Beowulf.[30][31]
      ↑Jump back a section

      Popular culture

      Comics

      • Stephen Notley's weekly strip Bob the Angry Flower ran a 10-part series entitled Rothgar. Bob attempted to take the place of Beowulf, using modern technology to help Hroðgar defeat Grendel; the ancient epic changed when Grendel was revealed as a sympathetic character.[32]
      • In 2006, Antarctic Press ran a manga adaptation of the Beowulf legend, written and drawn by David Hutchison.[33]
      • Speakeasy Comics: this series debuted a Beowulf monthly title featuring the character having survived into the modern era and now working alongside law enforcement in New York to handle superpowered beings.[34]
      • 1999-2000:The Collected Beowulf: by Gareth Hinds & Leslie Siddeley.[35]
      • 1975-1976: Beowulf Dragon Slayer, published by DC comics and edited by Dennis O'Neil, written by Michael Uslan and primarily illustrated by Ricardo Villamonte.[36] Later, Beowulf appears in Wonder Woman #20 (2008).
      • Issue #49 of the Animaniacs comic book featured a Pinky and the Brain story featuring Brain as Brainwulf, who, accompanied by Pinknarf (Pinky), attempts to defeat Grendel so that he can take over Denmark afterwards.[37]
      • IDW Publishing published a comic book adaptation of the 2007 Beowulf movie.[38]

      Board games

      Computer games

      • Beowulf: Viking Warrior:[40] action adventure game based on the original story, by 4HEAD Studios; cancelled after Ubisoft announced Beowulf: The Game
      • Beowulf: The Game:[41] action adventure game based on the 2007 film, developed by Ubisoft coming for PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and PSP.
      • Grendel's Cave[42]: a MUD role playing fantasy game based on the original story.
      • Beowulf (romanized on official sites as "Beowolf") is a character in Fire Emblem:Seisen no Keifu, he is portrayed as a mercenary interested only in money.[43]
      • In the expansion pack Bloodmoon for The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind the quest "The Mead Hall Massacre" parallels the story of Beowulf up to the killing of Grendel, known as the Udyrfrykte in game. In the sequel The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion players may encounter the Udyrfrykte Matron, a reference to Grendel's mother.
      ↑Jump back a section

      Notes

      1. ^ Tolkien, J.R.R. (1958). Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics. London: Oxford University Press. p. 127. 
      2. ^ Kiernan, Kevin S. (1997). Beowulf and the Beowulf Manuscript. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-08412-8. 
      3. ^ The Question of genre in bylini and Beowulf by Shannon Meyerhoff, 2006.
      4. ^ IMDB
      5. ^ Benjamin Bagby. "Beowulf: The Epic in Performance". Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
      6. ^ Walter Quinn (2007-11-23). "Beowulf' movie takes poetic license -- and then some -- from the original text". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2007-11-27. 
      7. ^ Duane Dudek (2007-11-16). "The Real Beowulf". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2007-11-27. 
      8. ^ John V. Fleming (2007-11-29). "Good Grief, Grendel". The New Republic. Retrieved 2007-11-29. 
      9. ^ "Official site". Princeofthegeats.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      10. ^ A Beowulf Handbook - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      11. ^ "Whose Song Is Sung". Home.tiac.net. 2000-10-01. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      12. ^ "Books : Fragile Things". Montreal Mirror. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      13. ^ "Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions, by Neil Gaiman". Sfreader.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      14. ^ "Beowulf: a graphic novel - at". Garethhinds.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      15. ^ [1]
      16. ^ "Beowulf: The Graphic Novel | Scholastic.com". Content.scholastic.com. 2007-02-27. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      17. ^ "Kid Beowulf". Kid Beowulf. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      18. ^ [2]
      19. ^ "View Data". Antarctic-press.com. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      20. ^ "MARILLION lyrics - Grendel". Oldielyrics.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      21. ^ "The lament for Beowulf, op. 25, for chorus of mixed voices and orchestra. Text from the Anglo-Saxon epic, (Musical score, 1925) [WorldCat.org]". Worldcatlibraries.org. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      22. ^ http://www.craton.net/music/beowulf
      23. ^ "beowulf". Davemalloy.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      24. ^ http://www.heartoffguard.co.uk/biographies.htm
      25. ^ Gardner, John. "Grendel". NPR article. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      26. ^ Mangan, Timothy (June 9, 2006). "Opera: 'Grendel' is a monster of a show". The Orange County Register. 
      27. ^ "BEOWULF: The Rock Opera at Irish Repertory Theatre October 7 - November 27, 2005/09/06". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      28. ^ [3][dead link]
      29. ^ http://www.moremud.com
      30. ^ Henk Aertsen, “Beowulf”, in A Dictionary of Medieval Heroes: Characters in Medieval Narrative Traditions and Their Afterlife in Literature, Theatre and the Visual Arts, edited by Willem P. Gerritsen and Anthony G. Van Melle translated from the Dutch by Tanis Guest, 54–59 (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2000). ISBN 0-85115-780-7. P. 59.
      31. ^ "Beowulf". Victor Davies. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      32. ^ "Bob the Angry Flower: Rothgar". Stephen Notley. 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
      33. ^ "Beowulf 01 by David Hutchison". WOWIO. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      34. ^ http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5282
      35. ^ http://www.thecomic.com/thecomic/beowulf.htm
      36. ^ "Dr. K's Guide to British Literature". Doctor-k100.blogspot.com. 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      37. ^ "Toon Zone - Comics - Animaniacs - Issue #49". Comics.toonzone.net. 1999-04-14. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      38. ^ [4][dead link]
      39. ^ Beowulf: The Legend, official page at Fantasy Flight Games.
      40. ^ Geddes, Ryan (2007-11-15). "Beowulf Game Canceled - PlayStation 3 News at IGN". Uk.ps3.ign.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      41. ^ "Beowulf - Available Now on DVD and HD DVD". Beowulfgame.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      42. ^ Beowulf. "Grendel's Cave Home". Grendelscave.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      43. ^ "ファイアーエムブレムミュージアム −キャラクター紹介−". Nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
      ↑Jump back a section

      External links
      Characters
      First page of Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon copy)
      Scholars and
      translators
      Depictions
      Books
      Film
      See also
      ↑Jump back a section
      Last modified on 2 May 2013, at 20:50