Le rune germaniche e il loro simbolismo nelle vignette del fumetto Beowulf. Leggenda cristiana dell’antica Danimarca (1940-1941)

This analysis focuses on some illustrations from the Italian comic Beowulf. Leggenda cristiana dell’antica Danimarca (Beowulf. Christian legend of ancient Denmark), featured in the Catholic magazine Il Vittorioso between the end of 1940 and the beginning of 1941. The aim of this paper is to offer a new reading of the real educational intentions of this comic devoted to young people. Il Vittorioso was founded in the fascist period within the circles of the Gioventù Italiana dell’Associazione Cattolica to propagate patriotic and Catholic fervour and to contribute to the shaping of the young Italians’ minds. The comic retells the story of the Old English poem Beowulf, but it modifies the plot by transforming the hero who defeats the monster Grendel, symbol of evil, into a moral and patriotic exemplum. Based on the latest studies concerning political language and its cognitive implications, the Beowulf of Il Vittorioso can be seen from a new perspective. This investigation places an in-depth focus on some illustrations in this comic, where the use of symbols taken from the ancient Germanic runes, appears to fulfil certain demands of the fascist propaganda. The aim is to show how these signs were used, within a message that was supposed to be purely Catholic, as a means of inciting the defense of the traditional values of patriotism, race and imperialism envisaged by Mussolini. This comic represents an example of the intersection between the ideals propagated by Catholic associations and the patriotic and political aspirations of the fascist regime. The role of the illustrator, Corrado Caesar, will therefore be outlined to better understand, beyond the pedagogical and moral message, his intention to convey, in an allusive manner, some concepts useful to the propaganda the regime was carrying out in order to promote the participation of young people in the war