Beowulf Project Section 1 - Project 2 “In the lap of their shining ship” (129) Their ship shines like in the painting. “Vikings did not wear much armor, though some chieftains (leaders) wore mail coats. Most relied on a round wooden shield for protection.” Round wooden shields are portrayed in my painting. “In that oak-hard boat to where their hearts took them.” (131) The boat pictured is made of wood and brown. “A big Viking longship would be about 30 meters long and were made from overlapping planks of oak wood joined together with iron rivets (bits of metal hammered into holes). The Viking ship described in the story was most likely a long ship and made of wood. “The ship foamed through the sea like a bird” (133) The ship sails over the waves. “The Vikings built fast ships for raiding and war. These ships were “longships”.” Viking’s needed ships that could navigate the seas fast. “Standing in the round-curled prow they could see..” (135) The ends of the ship are decorated with wood carvings. “The Vikings loved to decorate their ships with fine wood carvings. The head of a fearsome creature like a snake or dragon was put at the front to scare off enemies, including supposed sea monsters.” The ship I painted has woodcarvings like told in the story. “As they swiftly moored their ship…” (142) The ship in my painting has ties and ropes indicating that it can be tied down. “In addition, the shallow draft made for fast and easy disembarkation during a raid. When the ship was beached, a Viking could be certain that if he jumped out near the stem, the water would scarcely be over his knees. The crew could leave the ship and join the raid quickly and confidently.” Viking ships were easily pulled up to land and can be quickly exited. “…lined With gleaming armor, going safely” (130) The boat in my painting is hung with the shields of the Vikings. “And quickly commanded a boat fitted out…” (113) Beowulf demanded a boat that was fit for his standard. “Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar” (115) The ship is sailing towards their final destination. “The bravest of the best of the Geats, fourteen In all, and led them down to their boat;” (122) Beowulf picked the best men for the job and let them join him on his ship and journey. “He knew the sea, would point the prow” (123) The prow of the boat points toward their destination. “Then they sailed, set their ship” (125) The ship was untied and set sail. “Pushed their boat to the sand and tied it” (140) Many ropes are seen on the painted boat illustrating that it can be docked and tied at any time. “The wind hurried them over the waves” (132) In my painting you can see the roughness and flow of the waves that guide the ship. “A Viking ship was built beside a river or an inlet of the sea. A tall oak tree was cut to make the keel. The builders cut long planks of wood for the sides, and shorter pieces for supporting ribs and cross-beams.” Ships for Vikings were made of strong oak and carefully hand crafted. “They used wooden pegs and iron rivets to fasten the wooden pieces together. Overlapping the side planks, known as 'clinker-building', made the ship very strong. People stuffed animal wool and sticky tar from pine trees into every join and crack, to keep out the water.” Viking ships were made very strong and sturdy. Also they were made of wood, hence the brown ship.