J R Skelton, Beowulf and the dragon, 1908

Illustration from H E Marshall, Stories of Beowulf: Told to the Children (London: T C & E C Jack, 1908)

This image via Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beowulf_and_the_dragon.jpg

Feasting halls, lofty and wide-gabled; kings rich in treasure, the givers of rings; and a hero of almost superhuman power, whose sword is hard and famous. Well that’s a good start for England’s first epic.

Except the story isn’t set in England, and its protagonists aren’t English - not yet at least. However, throw in some bloodthirsty scary monsters, and end with a fire-breathing dragon and a ship burial, and surely not a court in the land would deny the work’s epic status. 

But to whom did it belong? How many times had the tale been told before the single late Anglo-Saxon manuscript we now have was written? The scholarly literature generated by these and other questions would take one many thousands times longer to read than the Old English classic itself. And, it goes without saying, for the most part it wouldn’t be nearly so much fun. 

We’ll luxuriate in the narrative of Beowulf, with an eye to the cultures of which it seems to speak. We will also consult the scholarship when it gives valuable context. But most importantly, we won’t forget to enjoy ourselves.

RJW F2421 Online (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Wednesdays (12 & 19 June, 2.00-4.30).

£40 (individual registration); £72 (for two people sharing one screen).