'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages

Beowulf (2): translations, adaptations, and movies!

Richard Abels Season 2 Episode 33

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In this episode, the second of a two part series, Dr. Chrissy Senecal and I continue our discussion of the Old English epic poem Beowulf.  In it we talk about the challenges of translation and look at literary and cinematic adaptations of the poem.


Sound clips in this episode:

“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” soundtrack (composer: Ennio Morricone) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOl73VQOS9M

Trailer for “Beowulf” (1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOrfinPSqyQ

Beowulf seduced by Grendel’s mother: “Beowulf” (2007) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyltO_ump0s

 

Recommended:

“The Saga Thing” podcast’s “Hwæt a Movie” episodes on “Beowulf” (1999) and “The Thirteenth Warrior”

https://sagathingpodcast.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/hwaet-a-movie-episode-1-beowulf-1999/

https://sagathingpodcast.wordpress.com/2023/12/20/hwaet-a-movie-episode-2-the-13th-warrior/

(For those who love Norse sagas, this is the perfect podcast. Each episode the co-hosts John and Andy [Dr. John Sexton and Dr. Andrew Pfrenger] describe, discuss, and rate sagas. They have recently branched out to “Beowulf” movies.)

Listen on Podurama https://podurama.com

Intro and exit music are by Alexander Nakarada

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at richard.abels54@gmail.com


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