BeowulfBeowulf

BeowulfBeowulf What is an epic?What is an epic? When and where does this epic take When and where does this epic take

place?place? What cultural values are shown in the What cultural values are shown in the

Prologue?Prologue? What was expected of an Anglo-Saxon What was expected of an Anglo-Saxon

leader/ruler/king?leader/ruler/king? What does Herot represent for Hrothgar What does Herot represent for Hrothgar

and his people?and his people? What does Grendel represent?What does Grendel represent? What purposes does boasting serve in this What purposes does boasting serve in this

culture?culture?

BeowulfBeowulf Review Prologue and Ch 1-9 Review Prologue and Ch 1-9Quick pronunciation noteQuick pronunciation note: See Merriam-Webster “Geat” entry: See Merriam-Webster “Geat” entry1.1. Whose funeral is described in the Prologue? Whose funeral is described in the Prologue? 2.2. Healfdane had four children. Which one is now king of the Healfdane had four children. Which one is now king of the

Danes? Danes? 3.3. Name that king’s wife. Name that king’s wife. 4.4. From whom do these monsters (Grendel and his ilk) From whom do these monsters (Grendel and his ilk)

descend? descend? (Biblical allusion)(Biblical allusion)5.5. What is the name of the hall? What is the name of the hall? 6.6. Name Beowulf’s uncle/king. Name Beowulf’s uncle/king. 7.7. Name Beowulf’s father. What connection did he have to Name Beowulf’s father. What connection did he have to

Hrothgar?Hrothgar?8.8. Unferth’s verbal challenge to Beowulf concerns what story? Unferth’s verbal challenge to Beowulf concerns what story? 9.9. How does Beowulf respond to Unferth? (It’s really a three-How does Beowulf respond to Unferth? (It’s really a three-

part comeback.)part comeback.)Preview of tonight’s readingPreview of tonight’s reading:: 1. Fight with Grendel1. Fight with Grendel 2. Chapter 13---digressions about Siegmund vs. Hermod—2. Chapter 13---digressions about Siegmund vs. Hermod—

two different types of leader/king—digression shows what two different types of leader/king—digression shows what the culture values in its leadersthe culture values in its leaders

3. Chapters 16 and 17---Finn digression—women as peace-3. Chapters 16 and 17---Finn digression—women as peace-weavers; violent, vengeful societyweavers; violent, vengeful society

Prologue and Chapters 1-9Prologue and Chapters 1-9As a group, 2 or 3 of the following:As a group, 2 or 3 of the following:

Historical/Geographical/CulturalHistorical/Geographical/Cultural—any of the following could prove —any of the following could prove interesting: look at more maps, draw connections between comitatus and the interesting: look at more maps, draw connections between comitatus and the feudal system that it grew into, read more about some of these tribes, feudal system that it grew into, read more about some of these tribes, research back stories to find elements of history mixed with fiction in this research back stories to find elements of history mixed with fiction in this book, or explore the Beowulf for Beginners website, focusing on historical book, or explore the Beowulf for Beginners website, focusing on historical information. information.

PredictPredict—Based on Beowulf’s boasting, do you think he really will be a —Based on Beowulf’s boasting, do you think he really will be a powerful fighter? How do you think the fight with Grendel will go down in powerful fighter? How do you think the fight with Grendel will go down in tonight’s reading?tonight’s reading?

VisualizeVisualize—Describe how you picture Grendel. You might also look at —Describe how you picture Grendel. You might also look at pictures or videos online to see various depictions of Grendel. Secondly, if pictures or videos online to see various depictions of Grendel. Secondly, if you were filming your own version of this epic, what would you emphasize you were filming your own version of this epic, what would you emphasize visually from last night’s reading? Which moments, scenes, characters, etc. visually from last night’s reading? Which moments, scenes, characters, etc. would stand out on the screen? What type of color palette would you use in would stand out on the screen? What type of color palette would you use in your film? your film?

EmotionsEmotions—What are the primary motivating emotions of these men? What —What are the primary motivating emotions of these men? What are the primary emotions Grendel feels? What do you imagine are the are the primary emotions Grendel feels? What do you imagine are the primary emotions of the women in this culture and time period? primary emotions of the women in this culture and time period?

EvaluateEvaluate—Describe the writing style used by the Beowulf poet. How does he —Describe the writing style used by the Beowulf poet. How does he control pacing? How well does he describe events, people, and places? What control pacing? How well does he describe events, people, and places? What stylistic features have you noticed? Give examples. (alliteration, inversion, stylistic features have you noticed? Give examples. (alliteration, inversion, etc.)etc.)

Draw connections—DDraw connections—Draw connections to other epics and epic heroes. Are raw connections to other epics and epic heroes. Are the settings similar? Are the themes similar?the settings similar? Are the themes similar?

Chapters 10-20Chapters 10-201.1. Listen to and “read” the original Old English version of lines 710-735.Listen to and “read” the original Old English version of lines 710-735.2.2. In your group, take turns reading aloud from the other translations in In your group, take turns reading aloud from the other translations in

the handout. Please do not write on the handout; I will re-use these the handout. Please do not write on the handout; I will re-use these with other classes. with other classes.

3.3. After each translation reading, After each translation reading, in your notebook jot down in your notebook jot down lines/phrases you like and don’t like in that particular translation and lines/phrases you like and don’t like in that particular translation and then give an overall view/evaluation of the translationthen give an overall view/evaluation of the translation (could consider (could consider tone, word connotations, imagery, pacing, “readability”, etc.)tone, word connotations, imagery, pacing, “readability”, etc.)

4.4. Once you’ve read and evaluated all translations, discuss with your Once you’ve read and evaluated all translations, discuss with your group which translations you find to be most effective. Explain your group which translations you find to be most effective. Explain your reasoning. Then turn in your translation packets.reasoning. Then turn in your translation packets.

5.5. Discuss last night’s reading: the Discuss last night’s reading: the battle with Grendelbattle with Grendel (What did (What did Beowulf do? Where did Grendel end up?); the didactic songs about Beowulf do? Where did Grendel end up?); the didactic songs about Siegmund and HermodSiegmund and Hermod (See Ch 13—Which is the good king—why? (See Ch 13—Which is the good king—why? Which is the bad king—why?); the Which is the bad king—why?); the Finn digressionFinn digression (What is the (What is the purpose of this digression?); purpose of this digression?); Hrothgar’s actionsHrothgar’s actions (How does he treat (How does he treat the Geats after Grendel’s demise?); the Geats after Grendel’s demise?); Welthow’s commentsWelthow’s comments (Who are (Who are Hrothulf, Hrethric and Hrothmund?—see last 2 pages of Ch 17); Hrothulf, Hrethric and Hrothmund?—see last 2 pages of Ch 17); Grendel’s motherGrendel’s mother (Where does she live? What did she do? Who is (Where does she live? What did she do? Who is Esher?). Esher?).

With any remaining time, you can do one or more of the following: With any remaining time, you can do one or more of the following: ***Discuss the “movie in your head” with your group (How are you ***Discuss the “movie in your head” with your group (How are you picturing these events and these characters and this setting?)picturing these events and these characters and this setting?)***Explore the Beowulf for Beginners website***Explore the Beowulf for Beginners website***Think about project options (due a week from Monday)***Think about project options (due a week from Monday)

Chapters 21-30Chapters 21-301.1. What questions do you have about the weekend reading? Lake, Hrunting, battle, Grendel’s What questions do you have about the weekend reading? Lake, Hrunting, battle, Grendel’s

body (pouch?), Hermod, Unferth, Hrothgar’s advice (his length of rule?), Higlac and Hidgbody (pouch?), Hermod, Unferth, Hrothgar’s advice (his length of rule?), Higlac and Hidg--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------***START WITH YOUR GROUP’S ASSIGNED FOCUS. THEN, IF TIME REMAINS, YOU CAN EXPLORE ***START WITH YOUR GROUP’S ASSIGNED FOCUS. THEN, IF TIME REMAINS, YOU CAN EXPLORE

OTHER AREAS. OTHER AREAS. IN THE LAST 10 MINUTES OF CLASS, I WILL ASK PEOPLE FROM EACH GROUP TO IN THE LAST 10 MINUTES OF CLASS, I WILL ASK PEOPLE FROM EACH GROUP TO SHARE. SHARE.

Historical/CulturalHistorical/Cultural--Consult this article to explore the didactic purpose of this epic regarding --Consult this article to explore the didactic purpose of this epic regarding young warriors in early Medieval culture. If you just read the first half of the article, that’s great. young warriors in early Medieval culture. If you just read the first half of the article, that’s great. Then it won’t give anything away about tonight’s reading! You can read it online, or use the Then it won’t give anything away about tonight’s reading! You can read it online, or use the hard copies I’ve provided. hard copies I’ve provided. www.mun.ca/mst/heroicage/issues/5/Bruce1.htmlwww.mun.ca/mst/heroicage/issues/5/Bruce1.html

PredictPredict—(Don’t give anything big away if you know more than your peers.) 1. What do you —(Don’t give anything big away if you know more than your peers.) 1. What do you think Beowulf will do now that he’s home? Do you think we’ll find out any additional information think Beowulf will do now that he’s home? Do you think we’ll find out any additional information about his past? Might there be anything from his past that has developed some of Beowulf’s about his past? Might there be anything from his past that has developed some of Beowulf’s traits and behaviors? 2. Based on your familiarity with other epics, how do you imagine this traits and behaviors? 2. Based on your familiarity with other epics, how do you imagine this epic will end? What will happen? What will be the final scene? What the closing lines focus on? epic will end? What will happen? What will be the final scene? What the closing lines focus on?

VisualizeVisualize—1. Sketch your vision of Grendel’s mother’s lair. Compare drawings. 2. Describe the —1. Sketch your vision of Grendel’s mother’s lair. Compare drawings. 2. Describe the fight between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf. How did you picture the fight sequence? If you fight between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf. How did you picture the fight sequence? If you were filming this, what would you show? 3. Look at the graphic novel I’ve provided (don’t read were filming this, what would you show? 3. Look at the graphic novel I’ve provided (don’t read too far if you don’t want anything given away!) and discuss your reactions to it. One of you too far if you don’t want anything given away!) and discuss your reactions to it. One of you might be the storyteller in your group and read to your “class” and show the pictures. might be the storyteller in your group and read to your “class” and show the pictures.

EmotionsEmotions—1. How do you think Beowulf feels now that he’s returned home? Might there be a —1. How do you think Beowulf feels now that he’s returned home? Might there be a mixture of emotions? 2. How would it feel to be a woman in this time? You might review some mixture of emotions? 2. How would it feel to be a woman in this time? You might review some of the females mentioned in Ch. 27. 3. How did Grendel’s mother make you feel? Do you of the females mentioned in Ch. 27. 3. How did Grendel’s mother make you feel? Do you associate any emotions with her? Is she justified in any way for her actions?associate any emotions with her? Is she justified in any way for her actions?

EvaluateEvaluate—1. Has your evaluation of the Beowulf-poet’s writing style changed at all as you’ve —1. Has your evaluation of the Beowulf-poet’s writing style changed at all as you’ve read more of the epic? Which stylistic features (pacing, imagery, diction, syntax, structure, read more of the epic? Which stylistic features (pacing, imagery, diction, syntax, structure, characterization, etc.) do you enjoy? Which stylistic features would you change? 2. Evaluate characterization, etc.) do you enjoy? Which stylistic features would you change? 2. Evaluate Beowulf as a hero. Are his traits admirable?Beowulf as a hero. Are his traits admirable?

Draw connections—1. Draw connections—1. Does Beowulf remind you of other heroes? Which ones? What traits do Does Beowulf remind you of other heroes? Which ones? What traits do they share? Does the setting remind you of other stories’ settings? How so? 2. How could this they share? Does the setting remind you of other stories’ settings? How so? 2. How could this same type of story (with the heroic code, the hero on a challenging path, etc.) be told in a same type of story (with the heroic code, the hero on a challenging path, etc.) be told in a different place and time? 3. Connecting to your own life, do you tend to be active or passive different place and time? 3. Connecting to your own life, do you tend to be active or passive when facing challenges? In our society today, how do people face challenges? What are our when facing challenges? In our society today, how do people face challenges? What are our “monsters” and “dragons” in today’s society?“monsters” and “dragons” in today’s society?