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Unferð
In the Old English epic poem ''Beowulf'', Unferth or Hunferth is a thegn (a retainer, servant) of the Danish lord Hrothgar. He appears five times in the poem — four times by the name 'Hunferð' (at lines 499, 530, 1165 and 1488) and once by the appellation "the son of Eclafes" (at line 980). The name ''Unferth'' does not appear in any Old English manuscript outside of the Nowell Codex, which contains ''Beowulf'', and the meaning of the name is disputed. Several scholarly theories about Unferth have been proposed. Unferth is also the name of a character in the modern novel '' Grendel'' by John Gardner, based upon the ''Beowulf'' epic. Etymology Unferth's name can be understood in a number of ways. A common reading, by Morton W. Bloomfield is to see it as ''un'' + ''frith'', "mar peace": similarly, J. R. R. Tolkien considered the name to mean Unpeace/Quarrel, or perhaps 'Unfriend'. However, Searle's ''Onomasticon Anglo-Saxonicum'' lists several mentions of medieval historic per ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beowulf
''Beowulf'' (; ang, Bēowulf ) 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 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hrunting
Hrunting was a sword given to Beowulf by Unferth in the ancient Old English epic poem '' Beowulf''. Beowulf used it in battle against Grendel's mother. Beowulf is described receiving the sword in lines 1455-1458: And another item lent by Unferth at that moment of need was of no small importance: the brehon handed him a hilted weapon, a rare and ancient sword named Hrunting. The iron blade with its ill-boding patterns had been tempered in blood. It had never failed the hand of anyone who hefted it in battle, anyone who had fought and faced the worst in the gap of danger. This was not the first time it had been called to perform heroic feats. However, although the sword possessed great power and was claimed to have never failed anyone who used it, when Beowulf descended to the bottom of the lake to fight Grendel's mother, the sword proved ineffective. As the "fabulous powers of that heirloom failed," Beowulf was forced to discard it. Hrunting's significance Swords have great ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grendel (novel)
''Grendel'' is a 1971 novel by the American author John Gardner. It is a retelling of part of the Old English poem '' Beowulf'' from the perspective of the antagonist, Grendel. In the novel, Grendel is portrayed as an antihero. The novel deals with finding meaning in the world, the power of literature and myth, and the nature of good and evil. In a 1973 interview, Gardner said, "In ''Grendel'' I wanted to go through the main ideas of Western civilization – which seemed to me to be about ... twelve? – and go through them in the voice of the monster, with the story already taken care of, with the various philosophical attitudes (though with Sartre in particular), and see what I could do, see if I could break out." On another occasion, he noted that he "us dGrendel to represent Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism (and phenomenology), a French playwright, novelist, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thyle
A thyle ( OE ''þyle'', ON ''þulr'') was a member of the court associated with Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon royalty and chieftains in the Early Middle Ages, whose precise role is uncertain but probably had to do with the preservation of knowledge of the past and the judging of present statements against it. Most literary references are found in Icelandic and Old English literature like the ''Hávamál'', where the term ''Fimbulþulr'', "the great thyle", presumably refers to Odin himself, and ''Beowulf''. In ''Gautreks saga'', Starkad is referred to as a þulr after he sacrifices a king.Michael J. Enright, "The Warband Context of the Unferth Episode", ''Speculum'' 73.2 (1998) 297–337, , . The word also appears on the runic inscription of the Snoldelev Stone. Frederiksberg's original name was ''Tulehøj'' ("Thyle Hill"). The Old English term is glossed as Latin ''histrio'' "orator" and ''curra'' "jester"; ''þylcræft'' means "elocution". ''Zoëga's Concise Dictionary of Old ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thyle
A thyle ( OE ''þyle'', ON ''þulr'') was a member of the court associated with Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon royalty and chieftains in the Early Middle Ages, whose precise role is uncertain but probably had to do with the preservation of knowledge of the past and the judging of present statements against it. Most literary references are found in Icelandic and Old English literature like the ''Hávamál'', where the term ''Fimbulþulr'', "the great thyle", presumably refers to Odin himself, and ''Beowulf''. In ''Gautreks saga'', Starkad is referred to as a þulr after he sacrifices a king.Michael J. Enright, "The Warband Context of the Unferth Episode", ''Speculum'' 73.2 (1998) 297–337, , . The word also appears on the runic inscription of the Snoldelev Stone. Frederiksberg's original name was ''Tulehøj'' ("Thyle Hill"). The Old English term is glossed as Latin ''histrio'' "orator" and ''curra'' "jester"; ''þylcræft'' means "elocution". ''Zoëga's Concise Dictionary of Old ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beowulf (2007 Film)
''Beowulf'' is a 2007 3D CGI fantasy action film directed and co-produced by Robert Zemeckis, written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary and based on the Old English epic poem of the same name. Starring the voices of Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, John Malkovich, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie, the film features human characters animated using live-action motion-capture CGI animation, which was previously used in ''The Polar Express'' (2004) and '' Monster House'' (2006). Produced by Zemeckis' ImageMovers and Shangri-La Entertainment, the film premiered at Westwood, Los Angeles on November 5, 2007 and was released theatrically in the United States on November 16, 2007, by Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures handling international distribution. The film received moderately positive reviews from critics, who complimented the CGI visual-effects, CGI performance-capture and voice acting whilst criticizing aspects of the i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flyting
Flyting or fliting is a contest consisting of the exchange of insults between two parties, often conducted in verse. Etymology The word ''flyting'' comes from the Old English verb meaning 'to quarrel', made into a noun with the suffix -''ing''. Attested from around 1200 in the general sense of a verbal quarrel, it is first found as a technical literary term in Scotland in the sixteenth century. The first written Scots example is William Dunbar, ''The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie'', written in the late fifteenth century. Description Flyting is a ritual, poetic exchange of insults practiced mainly between the 5th and 16th centuries. Examples of flyting are found throughout Scots, Ancient, Medieval and Modern Celtic, Old English, Middle English and Norse literature involving both historical and mythological figures. The exchanges would become extremely provocative, often involving accusations of cowardice or sexual perversion. Norse literature contains stories of the gods ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heitstrenging
Heitstrenging () is an Old Norse term referring to the swearing of a solemn oath to perform a future action. They were often performed at Yule and other large social events, where they played a role in establishing and maintaining good relationships principally between members of the aristocratic warrior elite. The oath-swearing practice varied significantly, sometimes involving ritualised drinking or placing hands on a holy pig (referred to as a sónargöltr) that could later be sacrificed. While originally containing heathen religious components such as prayers and worship of gods such as Freyr and Thor, the practice continued in an altered manner after the Christianisation of Scandinavia. Close similarities have been noted between and Anglo-Saxon oath-swearing and boasting practices such as the beot, with both involving promises to accomplish tasks that would bring great honour if achieved. Etymology In Old Norse, the term or ('the swearing of a solemn vow') is derived f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Malkovich
John Malkovich (born December 9, 1953) is an American actor. He is the recipient of several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Malkovich has appeared in more than 70 films, including ''The Killing Fields'' (1984), ''Empire of the Sun'' (1987), ''Dangerous Liaisons'' (1988), ''Of Mice and Men'' (1992), ''In the Line of Fire'' (1993), ''Mulholland Falls'' (1996), ''Con Air'' (1997), ''Rounders'' (1998), ''Being John Malkovich'' (1999), '' The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc'' (1999), ''Shadow of the Vampire'' (2000), ''Ripley's Game'' (2002), ''Johnny English'' (2003), ''Burn After Reading'' (2008), ''Red'' (2010), '' Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' (2011), ''Warm Bodies'' (2013), '' Cesar Chavez'' (2014), '' Bird Box'' (2018), and ''Velvet Buzzsaw'' (2019). He has also produced films such as '' Ghost World'' (2001), ''Juno' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sir Kay
In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay ( cy, Cai, Middle Welsh ''Kei'' or ''Cei''; la, Caius; French: ''Keu''; Old French: ''Kès'' or ''Kex'') is King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behaviour, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier warriors. Along with Bedivere, with whom he is frequently associated, Kay is one of the earliest characters associated with Arthur. Kay's father is called Ector in later literature, but the Welsh accounts name him as Cynyr Ceinfarfog. Cai in Welsh tradition Cai or Cei is one of the earliest characters to be associated with the Arthurian mythology, appearing in a number of early Welsh texts, including ''Culhwch ac Olwen'', '' Geraint fab Erbin'', '' Iarlles y Ffynnon'', ''Peredur fab Efrawg'', ''Breuddwyd Rhonabwy'', ''Pa Gur'', and the Welsh Triads. His father is given as Cynyr Ceinfarfog (Fork-Beard ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wealhtheow
Wealhtheow (also rendered Wealhþēow or Wealthow; ang, Ƿealhþēoƿ ) is a queen of the Danes in the Old English poem, '' Beowulf'', first introduced in line 612. Character overview Wealhtheow is of the Wulfing clan, Queen of the Danes. She is married to Hrothgar (Hrōðgār), the Danish king and is the mother of sons, Hreðric and Hroðmund, and a daughter Freawaru. The meaning of her name is disputed. One possible translation is "foreign slave" (Hill, 1990). In her marriage to Hrothgar she is described as ''friðusibb folca'' (l. 2017), 'the kindred pledge of peace between peoples', signifying interdynastic allegiance between Wulfing and Scylding achieved with her marriage to Hrothgar. She is both 'Lady of the Helmings' (l. 620) (by descent, of the Wulfing clan of Helm) and 'Lady of the Scyldings' (l. 1168), by marriage and maternity. Two northern sources associate the wife of Hrothgar with England. The ''Skjöldunga saga'', in Arngrímur Jónsson's abstract, chapter 3, te ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Grendel Grendel Grendel
''Grendel Grendel Grendel'' is a 1981 Australian animated film written, directed and designed by Alexander Stitt and starring Peter Ustinov. It was based on John Gardner's novel '' Grendel''. The music was composed and conducted by Bruce Smeaton and has been released on the 1M1 Records label. Like Gardner's novel, the film is a retelling of part of the epic poem '' Beowulf'' from the monster Grendel's point of view. Grendel (voiced by Ustinov) is by turns a thoughtful and contemplative character and a rampaging monster who attacks the mead hall of an early Danish kingdom, biting the head off of one would-be defender. This was the second full-length fully animated film ever made in Australia (coming after 1972's '' Marco Polo Junior Versus the Red Dragon''). Plot Initially narrated by the titular character through a flashback, Grendel ( Peter Ustinov), the "Great Boogey", recounts how he first left his cave as a child and encountered the Danish King Hrothgar (Ed Rosser) and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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