Today we began viewing The 13th Warrior. Upon completion of the film students will be responsible for the following assignment:
Beowulf and The13th Warrior
100pts
Due 12/3/07
The 13th Warrior is the screenplay for the book Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. This book is based off the remaining fragments of an actual report written in the 10th century by Ahmad Ibn Fadlan of his adventures with a company of Norsemen. Director John McTiernan effectively uses the elements of an epic and weaves in connections to Beowulf. You are to make note of these connections and take notes as we view this film. If you miss a day, please be responsible to either schedule a time with me, or rent it out on your own. Yes, you will be writing a paper, focusing on one of the following:
The traits of the epic hero-compare/contrast the book to the movie
The blending of paganism and a new, foreign religion (Christianity in Beowulf; Islam in The 13th Warrior)
You must include specific references to both the poem and the film, citing your sources appropriately. Cite the line number(s) for Beowulf, and the director’s last name for The 13th Warrior (McTiernan). Be sure to have at least three textual references for the epic poem, and at least one for the film. It is not necessary to use any other outside sources. You are to analyze the works and use mature insight.
Keep in mind the following “rules” of a formal paper:
· Third person point of view (no I, no you)
· Present verb tense
· 12 point font, double-spaced
Check out these characters’ names from the film – sound familiar?
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan (Antonio Banderas) Buliwyf Herger (joyous)
Edgtho (silent) Roneth Ragnar (sullen) Helfdane (fat)
Rethel (archer) Hatlaf (boy) Halga (wise) Skeld (superstitious)
Weath (musician) Hyglak (quarrelsome)
King Hrothgar, Queen Weilew, Wigliff (king’s son), Olga
