Re: beowulf

Beowulf was written in England by an anonymous author, but is set in Denmark, that is correct. If you want to see it in historical terms, the poem's characters would have been Germanic pagans as the events took place long before the Christianization of Scandinavia (around 450–550 AD I think). Beowulf thus depicts a Germanic warrior society, and the relationship between the Hroðgar, the king of the Danes and those who served under him.

The name Beowulf means "bee-wolf" in Old English and it is a kenning (a poetic phrase or a figure of speech) for "bear" (the wolf/hunter of bees).

 

I agree that much of this story must have been put together before the Christianization of Scandinavia, however, there are plenty of depictions in the actual story that puts it in the period of transition from Paganism to Christianity, such as the references to Grendel being the son of Cain, and how Beowulf is depicted largely as a Christian hero.

 

in the movie, they weren't assimilated to Christianity yet.

 

Meh, don't trust the movie, read the actual thing first. Or if you don't want to read, go to cliffnotes.

 

Many pieces of early English literature were Christianized (is that even a word?), the Christian references were added to otherwise purely pagan scripts

 

I can tell the Christianization of Scandinavia came later, as i live in Denmark. around year 900

 

It doesn't really look like I'll enjoy, but I don't know, when there's no good movies at the Cinema, I'll see it.