Beowulf

CREATIVE PROJECTS adapted from A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Beowulf, by Dana Huff

Skit — Create a skit or puppet show based on an event in Beowulf from the viewpoint of another character. Perform the skit or puppet show for the class, including all necessary props.

Film — A trend in film today is to modernize old stories. (Example: the movie O is a modernization of Shakespeare’s play Othello portraying the Othello character as the school’s black star basketball player, dating a white girl. The Iago character, the coach’s son, is jealous and seeks to destroy the Othello character). How would you envision a modern-day or futuristic
Beowulf? Think about what modern-day or futuristic counterparts each major character might have and what roles they would play. Sketch out a storyboard or write a proposal for the movie. Think about what costumes, sets, and special effects might be needed. To extend this activity, students can film/video tape part or all of their movie.

Newspaper — Create a newspaper outlining the major events in Beowulf. Write articles and include appropriate pictures (hand or computer-drawn, cut from magazines or newspapers, or found on the Internet). In addition to major articles, include typical newspaper features like editorials, obituaries, advertisements, and comics.

Board game — Create a board game based on the characters and events in Beowulf. A player should be able to learn what happens in Beowulf by playing the game. Include clearly written instructions, some type of board, and playing pieces.

Computer game — Create an adventure computer game based on Beowulf. Include instructions for installing and playing the game as well as a description of the goal — for example, defeating Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon.

Web site — Create a web site for Beowulf. Include such things as images of the characters as you envision them, a summary page, a commentary page, and a Beowulf links page.

Scrapbook — Compile a scrapbook based on Beowulf. Write captions explaining each item included, which should be items that the characters might have saved or which somehow identify the characters. Suggested items include pictures, personal articles, and other physical objects. A twist on this idea is to create a Beowulf time capsule.

Art — Create an artistic expression of a character, scene, or symbol in Beowulf. Artistic expressions may include paintings, drawings, papier-mâché, and costume sketches.

Collage — Create a collage of images and/or quotations from Beowulf that somehow demonstrate the book’s theme or message. Include an explanation for each image and/or quotation that appears on the collage — why it was included and its significance to the book.

Comic book — Beowulf is a story that lends itself well to an action/adventure comic book. Create a fully-realized comic book based on the story of Beowulf.

Dramatic Interpretation — Interpret a scene from Beowulf, dressing as the characters and performing the scene for the class. Some suggested scenes include Grendel’s first attack (27-29), the battle between Beowulf and Grendel (46-48), the attack of Grendel’s mother (63-64), Beowulf ’s battle with Grendel’s mother (70-71), the battle with the dragon (102-109), or Beowulf ’s funeral (119-120).

Found Poem — Create a poem from words that appear in the text. The poem should somehow demonstrate a theme from Beowulf.

Write a eulogy for Beowulf. Samples: (Seven Easy Steps, How to Write a Eulogy, from About.com)