"Beowulf" by Gareth Hinds

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Beowulf

Author/Illustrator: Gareth Hinds

Year of Publication: 2007

Publisher City: Cambridge

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 9780763630232

Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.garethhinds.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Ink

Fiction Graphic Novel

"The Classics Revisited" Group Project-  Please visit our presentation here to learn more about how this graphic novel and others can be used in a high school curriculum.

Annotation

Follow the epic tale of Beowulf, in graphic novel format, as he battles barehanded against the evil monster called Grendel, vanquishes Grendel’s vengeful Mother, and fights his final battle against a rampaging dragon in order to protect his kingdom.

Personal Reaction

(Provided by J. Medina)

I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation of the epic poem, Beowulf. Hinds did a good job depicting Beowulf and the monsters. The wordless pages which depict certain scenes carries the plot better then if text had been incorporated. Hinds states on his website that the Candlewick Press version of Beowulf is slightly different from the first draft that he self-published. Candlewick Press chose A.J. Church's "more straightforward prose" whereas Hinds originally chose to use Francis Gummere's "more archaically-flavored" translation. I personally liked the choice of wording in the Candlewick Press version, it flowed well and suited the young adult graphic novel audience. An overly archaic worded translation I believe would be off putting to the reader.  This adaptation of Beowulf successfully tells the tale of Beowulf on its own, but I would still recommend using it as a supplement in the current curriculum.

Use of Onomatopoeia: [There are several instances present throughout the text, often incorporated into the graphics rather then the word bubbles]. "Boom" - text seems to be coming from the hall doors as they are opened.  "Crunch" - text is closely wrapped near Grendel's mouth as he bits a man's head.  "Smash" - written in line with Beowulf's arm and body motion as he drives Grendel's body into a table.

Use of Rhythm: [The wording of Beowulf's speech has a particular cadence that gives the reader a sense of it being presented to a large audience. The '/' represents where the reader might put an emphasis when reading aloud.]

Therefore/ I shall carry neither sword/ nor shield/ nor coat of mail/ to this battle. With the grip of my hands only/ will I confront this enemy,/ struggling with him, / life for life./ But who shall live/ and who shall die,/ let it be/ as God/ shall will. 

Use of Personification: [Fate is personified as someone who gives orders that cannot be disobeyed]. "But that which Fate has ordered shall come to pass."

Use of Simile: The image of the ocean is replaced with a map of the constellations thus likening the ocean to the sky. 

Curriculum Connection: Grades 9 to 12 Reading Literary Response and Comprehension
California Standard: Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text - Read literary texts and use detailed sentences to describe the sequence of events [Read and describe in detail the events that occur in the Beowulf story].  Structural Features of Literature - Identify several literary elements and techniques (e.g., figurative language, imagery, and symbolism); Read and identify ways in which poets use personification, figures of speech, imagery, and the "sound" of language; Identify the functions of dialogue, scene design, and asides in dramatic literature.

Media Used (discussed in detail): The story of Beowulf is divided into three separate books: Book 1) Beowulf vs. Grendel - which was drawn in ink by using a dip pen and brush, then colored digitally; Book 2) Beowulf vs. Grendel's Mother - which was drawn on painted wood panels using technical pen, watercolor, acrylic, and color pencil; and Book 3) Beowulf vs. the Dragon- which was drawn in ink by using a dip pen and brush, then colored using Dr. Martin's dye and white charcoal. Hinds brilliantly depicts the fighting scenes which are so essential to the story's plot. The jumbled snapshots of Beowulf rolling around, grappling with the monsters, mimic the chaos present in a live fight. Book 1 and Book 3's illustrations were my favorite which I attribute to Hinds' use of drawing with ink with dip pen and brush. I especially like how Hinds uses a map of the constellations as the background image for the dead warrior's pyres on the ocean and for the sky as seen through the banquet hall. The constellations were an eye drawing focal point which had me seeking out the ones I knew. Appropriately accenting Beowulf's death in Book 3, the sober hues are a stark contrast from the vibrant colors used to depict Beowulf's victories.