My first exposure to Beowulf was the 1999 film of the same name starring Christopher Lambert. The movie takes place, not in 7th century Scandanavia, but rather, in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world that blends elements of fantasy and science fiction together.

The film opens with Beowulf (Christopher Lambert) breaking through a siege-line to save a girl (only to die seconds later) and enter the unnamed outpost so that he can stop the attacks of the evil creature Grendel.

What I Didn't Like

• King Hrothgar is portrayed as a weak leader and adulterer, whereas the Poem portrays him as a good strong king.
• 'Hrothgar' is pronounced with a silent 'H' instead of the wonderful guttural it contains.
• Beowulf is not a heroic man empowered by God, but rather a half-demon who's father is Ba'al.
• Beowulf's half-demon heritage apparently affords him two super-powers: 1. He is not as incompetent a fighter as those around him. 2. He can perform flips through the air! Multiple flips. Throughout the movie!
• Despite there being a whole host of supporting characters in the Poem, this film decided to invent a brand new cast of characters to support the story.
• The film is intrinsically derogatory to women. In their clothes (or lack there of). In their portrayal. And in their characterization.
• Grendel's mother is portrayed as a seductress who seduced Hrothgar which resulted in the birth of Grendel. While this is an interesting and unique idea, it sullies the moral framework of my favorite character.
• Much of the acting was terrible. Of particular shame was Grendel's Mother and "Roland" (whoever that is).
  

What I Liked

• The film was less than 90 minutes long.
• Heaven help me, but I really like Christopher Lambert. He was good in this.
• The setting of the story was phenomenal. While there were some misfires in the ancient weaponry (infused with futuristic features) the future-medieval setting was truly imaginative. I wish we could have learned more about this bizarre world.
• The Grendel monster was rather well done. The film-makers opted for a "less is more" approach and it really helped make Grendel appear terrifying!

I'm shocked that my first exposure to Beowulf didn't turn me away from the Poem altogether. (Although I remember reading the Poem the first time through and wondering when we were going to find out that Beowulf was sired by Ba'al.) This really was a film that had some phenomenal potential, but a host of misfires ruined it.

Rating: 2/5 (I Didn't Like It)

The original poem is a work of an epic legend. If it was written today, it might be categorized as a dark fantasy.

While the poem has a wide host of characters, it’s main protagonist is Beowulf, a Geat from Geatland (northern Sweden) who has traveled to the land of the Danes and the Shieldings (modern Denmark) to rid this neighboring people of the monstrous Grendel. Grendel has been attacking King Hrothgar’s mead hall for many years. Lives have been lost and none have been able to stand against this monster . . . until the heroic Beowulf arrives.

There are two keys to understanding and appreciating this ancient tale.

First, it was written in England (in Old English), but is recalling events in Scandinavia. (Primarily modern Denmark and Sweden).

Second, the poem was written by a Christian some time around the 8th century (or later) who was writing about a story that took place in the pre-Christian 7th century (or earlier). As such, we have an intensely Christian author trying to understand how God was working in and through a pagan-peoples. Whereas many scholars try to strip out the Christian theology from the poem, I take the story as-is, and what we see in the characters of Hrothgar, Beowulf and Wiglaf is pagan characters responding to the general revelation around them, and serving the true God of the universe by responding to how he has revealed himself in nature.

In other words, the characters in the story only know their polytheistic Norse religions, but they also recognize the general truths and virtues God has established, and by responding to God’s moral order, they both serve him and are empowered by him.

This certainly causes tensions in the story, and causes myself and others to pause as we consider our theology. But the result is an intensely theological poem that explores General Revelation (God revealing himself through his creation) in light of Special Revelation (God revealing himself through scripture) in the sub-text.

But if theology isn’t your thing . . . don’t worry! We’ve got monsters here in Beowulf! Loads and loads of monsters!

The poem is divided nicely into three sections by it’s main monsters: Grendel. Grendel’s Mother, and the Wyrm Dragon.

But if monsters aren’t your thing there’s also mead (honey-wine), two word metaphors (i.e. “whale-road” for sea), boasting, arrogance, humiliation, and (for those of you who want a love story) at least one arranged marriage sub-plot!

And while Beowulf is the main character, I think my favorite is King Hrothgar! (Be sure to pronounce that ‘H’ before the ‘r’ and be sure that you spit all over your friends when you say it!) He is featured in the first two acts and portrayed as a good king. He is strong, wise, and possesses phenomenal leadership skills. (See, the poem is also a leadership book!) Unfortunately, the evil of the monster Grendel is beyond his abilities. But, like any good leader and certain title characters (ehem… Beowulf), Hrothgar is willing to accept help when he needs it.

So, before I close my overall thoughts on this wonderful poem, I wanted to share with you the “Big Idea” of the story. It is my humble and correct opinion that every story is trying to teach you something. Whether the author intended to insert a big idea or not, the entire story reflects his or her beliefs and aims to teach you.

It’s true for the Bible, it’s true for Harry Potter and it’s true for Beowulf.

[Major Spoilers Ahead]


Exegetical Idea (The “Big Idea” for the Original Audience)

 Subject: What happened when Beowulf’s great triumphs over the Grendels led him to become the King of the Geats?

Complement: Because he never lined up another hero, when he died slaying the dragon he left his people defenseless against the Swedes.

“When Beowulf’s great triumphs over the Grendels led him to become the King of the Geats, because he never lined up another hero when he died slaying the dragon he left his people defenseless against the Swedes.”

Because Beowulf is a tragedy, we flip the Big Idea around when applying it to our lives to avoid the protagonist’s mistakes.

Homiletical Idea (The “Big Idea” for the Reader Today)

Subject: What should you do when you have great abilities?

Complement: Train others so they will be equipped when you’re gone.

“When you have great abilities, you should train others so they will be equipped when you’re gone.”

Have you read Beowulf? What do you think?

So, you’re intrigued in this whole Beowulf Month thing, but you’re not ready to dive in.

Here’s why you should read the poem and participate in the month:

1. Beowulf is Awesome
2. No Less than Three Epic Fights
3. Monsters
4. Demons
5. Sea Creatures
6. Gold/Treasure
7. Magic
8. Heavy Christian Imagery
9. Judeo-Christian Language Throughout
10. Heroic AND Tragic
11. Dark Fantasy
12. A Short Read (4-5 hours tops)
13. Plenty of Free Versions Available
14. Tensions Between Christianity and Pagan cultures in Beowulf are relevant today!
15. The “Big Idea” of the poem is exactly where we are today!
16. Reading it is fun!
17. Reading it counts as literature!

I know there’s more reasons. Help me out Beowulf fans (or should I say aficionados?). Why should someone read Beowulf?

I hereby declare August to be Beowulf Month!

All things Beowulf are to be celebrated!

Beginning with the original epic poem, we'll move into books, films, graphic novels, toys and other sundries inspired by Beowulf!

How can you get involved? How can you beholden such a wonderful month? Why . . . right here of course! All throughout the month of August I will post thoughts and comments on Beowulf-related materials!

Not good enough?! Okay! You are invited to blog, tweet, facebook, tumbl, or create memes. Contact me and I'll post a link to your thoughts!

Still not enough?! Fine! The Untold Podcast has a brand-new, unannounced forum on Christian Geek Central. While we wait for the network to launch, lets jump on this whole Beowulf discussion over there too! Here's the direct link.

So start reading the original poem! You can find plenty of free versions on the Kindle, Nook, or on the Web. For my money, I prefer the Seamus Heaney version.

In addition to the original poem I plan on also enjoying:

• Beowulf (1999) starring Christopher Lambert
• The 13th Warrior (1999) based on the Michael Crichton novel
• Beowulf & Grendel (2005) starring Gerard Butler
• Beowulf (2007) by Benjamin Bagby with an Anglo-Saxon harp
• Beowulf (2007) computer animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis
• Outlander (2008) a science fiction film starring James Caviezel
• Grendel (1971) Novel from Grendel's point of view  by John Gardner
• Beowulf  Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
• Beowulf: Gods and Monsters comic series by Brian Augustyn
• Beowulf Graphic Novel by Stefan Petrucha
• Beowulf the Video Game (UBI Soft)
• Beowulf the Board Game
• Beowulf the Movie Board Game

Recommendations also appreciated!

Who's in?