Beowulf Period 3.notebook

1

September 25, 2012

Prepare to Read (p. 36)

About Beowulf

The Stuff of Legends

Forging the Epic

A Guide to Life

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

2

September 25, 2012

Grammar Focus ­ Appositives & Appositive Phrasespage 62

appositive:

appositive phrase:

Example

In his far­off home Beowulf, Higlac's / Follower and the strongest of the Geats

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

3

September 25, 2012

Important Terms and Devices1. epic poem: __________________________________________________________________________________

2. epic (legendary) hero: _________________________________________________________________________

3. alliteration: __________________________________________________________________________________

4. kenning: ____________________________________________________________________________________

5. comitatus: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Other Important Vocabulary for Comprehension1. scop – composers and storytellers of Anglo­Saxon poetry2. moored – secure a ship 3. gables – decorative triangular­shaped roofing structures 4. wergild – a fine paid to the relatives of a murdered person to free the offender from further obligations or punishment.5. linden – soft light wood 6. mead – an alcoholic drink of fermented honey and water 7. vexed – irritated, annoyed 8. gorges – eats greedily 9. sentinel – a person or thing that stands watch 10. talons – claws 11. sinews – tendons12. hoary – gray or white with age 13. pyre – a bonfire for burning a dead body 14. hoard – a hidden or carefully guarded supply or accumulation of valuables 15. scabbard – a sheath for a sword 16. runic – consisting or set down in an ancient alphabet used for writing Germanic script, especially in Germanic languages, most often of Scandinavia and Britain from about the third to thirteenth centuries

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

4

September 25, 2012

BeowulfIt is a familiar scene: A brave hero battles his

archenemy, an evildoer who will stop at nothing to win. The theme of hero and villain

goes back more than twelve hundred years, to a time when Anglo‐Saxon storytellers sang of

the battles of Beowulf, the legendary warrior.

Literary Analysis

epic

legendary hero *Keep a list of examples and textual evidence that proves

Beowulf is an epic hero.http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/noa/audio.htm

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

5

September 25, 2012

Journal Prompts

Journal / Do Now Question Prompts – to be assigned and discussed 1. What is a hero? Explain your definition and give examples.2. What is courage? How would most people today define courage?3. What qualities do you believe a good leader should possess? Discuss leadership in our society. Name some modern leaders.What are the characteristics of contemporary leaders? What do we admire about them?4. What does it mean to be loyal? Tell about a time you were loyal or someone was loyal to you.5. Why is a reputation important? What factors influence a person’s reputation?6. Why is generosity important? What does it mean to be generous? Write about or discuss the most generous person you know.

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

6

September 25, 2012

Remember: When reading Beowulf and other poetry, do not stop at the end of each line; this results in choppy lines and will inhibit your comprehension of the text. Read to the punctuation

mark, and respond appropriately.

Example ­ The text as it appears:Then, when darkness had dropped, Grendel

Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriorsWould do in that hall when their drinking was done.He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting Nothing, their dreams undisturbed. The monster’s Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws;He slipped through the door and there in the silence …

The text as it should be read:Then, when darkness had dropped, Grendel / Went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors / Would do in that hall when their drinking was done.

He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting / Nothing, their dreams undisturbed.

The monster’s / Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws; / He slipped through the door and there in the silence …

A slash (/) is used to indicate line breaks when quoting multiple lines from a poem or play .

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

7

September 25, 2012

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

8

September 25, 2012

The Wrath of Grendel

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/­YO7iz3TbvHY/TzcXiS3glOI/AAAAAAAAG8c/Krg0Up6IgEQ/s1600/meadhall2.jpg

The Wrath of Grendel1. What does the story of Grendel’s origins suggest about the beliefs of Anglo­Saxon culture?

2. What does Grendel resent about Hrothgar and his men?

3. Paraphrase – What are the main ideas in the sentences in lines 34­40?

4. Literary Analysis – Terrorized by Grendel, Hrothgar and his followers face “Twelve winters of grief.” How does the length of their suffering increase the epic feeling of this tale?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

9

September 25, 2012

The Coming of Beowulf1. Why do the Danes flee Herot at night?

2. An epic hero embodies the values and the ideals of the culture that produces him. On the basis of Beowulf’s description (lines 109­122), what qualities do you think were valued by Anglo­Saxons?

3. Paraphrase lines 125­131.

4. Literary Analysis – How do word choice and other stylistic features of the watchman’s speech add a serious, epic tone to his question (lines 151­171)?

5. Literary Analysis – What does Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture (lines 173­179)?

6. Literary Analysis – How do Beowulf’s boasts of great deeds and his announcement of his plan establish him as a hero?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

10

September 25, 2012

The Battle with Grendel1. Line 317: Use context clues to define bolted.

2. Literary Analysis – How do the “renaming” of Grendel in line 325 emphasize the weighty significance of the battle that is about to begin?

3. Consider Grendel’s recognition that he is feuding with God (p. 48). How might this change his perspective?

The Monsters’ Lair1. How does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel end?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

11

September 25, 2012

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother1. Who is Edgetho’s brave son?

2. Who is Hrunting?

3. Paraphrase the sentence describing the combat in lines 498­502.

4. Lines 527­533 underscore the pagan­Christian blend in this poem. The Christian God is said to give Beowulf _______________, and yet the sword Beowulf finds on the wall was “_________________” with the _____________ of giants.

5. How does Beowulf dishonor the corpse of Grendel for his evil deeds against Hrothgar and his men?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

12

September 25, 2012

The Last Battle1. Literary Analysis – What does Beowulf’s speech in lines 630­649 suggest to you about Anglo­Saxon values?

2. Literary Analysis – What do lines 717­741 reveal about the values of warrior culture?

3. Literary Analysis – According to Wiglaf, what is Beowulf’s relationship with his followers like (lines 745­760)? Why, as it says in line 744, is this speech what these men deserve?

4. Literary Analysis – What does Wiglaf’s decision suggest about the way in which a legendary hero can inspire heroism in others?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

13

September 25, 2012

Good vs. Evil

Dedication, Fairness, and Bravery

THEMES: Textual Evidence

Glorification of a Leader Who Does Good for Others

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

14

September 25, 2012

The Spoils1. Literary Analysis – In Beowulf’s death scene, what is shown about the importance in warrior culture of the commemoration of individuals after death?

The Farewell1. What is Beowulf’s last request?

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

15

September 25, 2012

Thinking About the Selection

#4 What does Beowulf's speech in lines 246­255 show about how he defines his identify? Although Beowulf is brave and Grendel is spiteful, both might be said to act out of pride. Explain.

OPEN­ENDED QUESTION / RACE RESPONSEBeowulf is an epic tale influenced by both pagan and Christian traditions.

• Identify an example from the epic in which the memory of Beowulf's deeds inspires someone.• Do you think Beowulf's deeds make him a good role model?.

Use details from the text to support your response.

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

16

September 25, 2012

Many critics and teachers believe that Beowulf contains themes that are relevant to modern life.

• Explain one theme you believe is most important in the work.• Does this theme relate to your daily life in 2012? Explain why or why not.

Use details from the text to support your response.

Students may mention such virtues as bravery (e.g., He faces death at the hands of three monsters fearlessly.); fairness (He fights Grendel bare­handed.); responsibility (He feels it’s his duty to help the Danes.); concern for others (He saves the communities the monsters ravage.); piety (He thanks God for his victories.); ambition (He wants to earn fame by his deeds.); loyalty (He’s good to his subjects.); and intelligence (He plans how he will battle Grendel and the dragon.).

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

17

September 25, 2012

The pagan Germans, Greeks, and other ancient peoples believed that fame and glory are the only things that will survive a human being’s death. • What evidence do you find in Beowulf of the importance placed on a person’s public reputation? • Does a person’s public reputation play the same role in today’s society.

Use details from the text to support your response.

Students should realize that one of Beowulf’s main goals is to win glory by killing Grendel. His deeds have given him a reputation for heroism and support from his people to help the Danes. When he goes into the lake to fight Grendel’s mother, the bystanders fear he has lost his life—and fame: here, death equals defeat equals loss of glory. Even when old, Beowulf wants to seek fame by fighting the dragon. He doesn’t wish to die at the end, but when he sees that it is inevitable, he asks his warriors to build a tower that will keep his name alive in memory.

Beowulf Period 3.notebook

18

September 25, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiBaSqO7n9U

Let Us Review!