English IV AP

1st Six Weeks

Anglo-Saxon Period

In a well formed paragraph(s) and using your best writing techniques, answer the following questions:

Why are you taking this class?

Do you like to write, why or why not?

Do you like to read, why or why not?

When you read, what do you like?

Then tell me any pertinent information I should know about you in regards to your performance in class.

Essay 1In a well organized essay, and using

textual evidence, why do you think it was important for the

English culture of the High Middle Ages, 11th

century to the 13th century, to remember and tell repeatedly,

sagas such as Beowulf?

 

Use the TAG Strategy

1st line will be your Thesis Statement

Embed your quote

Explain your quote

Why do we care?

Annotating the Text

Connecting Device to Meaning

1) On the text provided answer the following: What is happening at this

point in the text?

Provide the context. Make sure to include the 5 Ws (who, what, where,

when, why).

Everything done after this point will be connected to this context.

2) Underline meaningful diction words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs).

Comment marginally on at least 5 of these underlined words.

Consider the following:

(1) What connections do you glean from specific word choices?

(2) What conflicts or connections (similarities) do you understand through specific word choice?

(3) What significance (regarding character, event, etc.) do you understand through specific word choices?

3) Put brackets around the first four words of each sentence and

meaningful punctuation choices (dashes, parentheses, ellipsis, etc.)

Comment marginally on one of these choices.

4) Circle at least one narrative strategy (point of view, flashback, conflicts, tension, suspense) and then one rhetorical strategy (alliteration,

allusion, imagery, personification).

Label each device and comment on it marginally.

5) Draw brackets around two 5-10 line blocks and choose an appropriate tone

word for each, labeling them accordingly. Be as precise as possible in choosing tone words. Some where on your passage copy, briefly justify these

words.

6) Consider where the passage could logically break into sections and label

each section with one word that could best describe that section.

7) Briefly explain and justify a method that unifies the entire passage. This

could be explained through characterization, contrast, comparison,

juxtaposition, analogy, parallelism.

This should be a comment on how this method achieves the point of the

passage.

Beowulf Explained (purpose?)

Shield Sheafson- wreaker of mead benches

Beow- gave freely, knew the path to power

Great Halfdane- father of four

Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, an unnamed daughter, who was Onela’s queen

“a balm in bed to the battle-scarred Swede.”

“The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.”

“Heorot was the name he had settled on it whose utterance was law.”

Heorot is Attacked

Then a powerful demon…nursed a hard grievance.

Where does Grendel come from?

“…because the almighty made him anathema…”

Killing thirty men

“…their wassail was over,”

“So Grendel ruled in defiance of right…for twelve winters…”

“He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne

itself, the treasure-seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord’s

outcast.”

Beowulf has his own name which means that he is his own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important

than his father)

Beo– BearBears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology

Strong

Wulf– WolfWolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and speedy

“There was no else like him alive.In his day, he was the mightiest man on

earth, highborn and powerful.”

Boarded the boat as captain, a canny pilot.

“What kind of men are you…rigged out for war…”

“This is no mere hanger-on in hero’s armor.”

“The leader of the troop unlocked his word-hoard; the distinguished one

delivered his answer.”

So, why does Beowulf explain his lineage?

Anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two

things: What’s said and what’s done.”

“…bravery not banishment…”

“…he is formidable indeed.”

So, there are also bonds of family.

“…with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand.”

“…but shields must stay here and spears be stacked until the outcome of

the audience is clear.”

“I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield.”

“I was then in the first flush of kingship…”

Unferth’s contrary words

“Now I cannot recall any fight you entered, Unferth, that bears

comparison.”

“You killed your own kith and kin…”

“…if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be…”

Wealhtheow brings the beer, calms the men.

She offers Beowulf the cup, thanking him.

“I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea…”

“Then it was like old times in the echoing hall…”

“The King of Glory posted a lookout who was a match for Grendel…”

“And may the Divine Lord in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to

whichever side He sees fit.”

“Nor did the creature keep him waiting but struck suddenly and started in; he

grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings,

bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly

lifeless, eaten up hand and foot.”

“The hall clattered and hammered…”

“He had conjured the harm from the cutting edge of every weapon.”

“Clear proof of this could be seen in the hand the hero displayed high up near the roof: the whole of Grendel’s

shoulder and arm, his awesome grasp.”

Implications?

Essay 2

In well organized essay (one paragraph) and using textual evidence and

knowing what you know about the culture, why was it important for

Beowulf and Hrothgar to drink and feast the night before the battle with

Grendel?

Celebration at Heorot

…as I have heard…

Is this history?Would the audience know if it was or not?

Does it matter?

“he had dived down deep into the marsh den”

metaphorically up and down

Yet there was no laying of blame on their lord, the noble Hrothgar; he was

one good king.

Line 866

Beowulf’s story is told

Line 873

He told what he had heard in Sigemund’s exploits…

Tale within a tale

Putting the tale in a historical context

Line 885

The mention of a dragon

Line 913

Such was Beowulf…But evil entered

Line 925

“First and foremost, let the Almighty Father be thanked…”

Line 938

“But now a man with the Lord’s assistance….”

Line 946

“I adopt you in my heart as a dear son.”

Line 970

Yeah, I ripped his __________ off…

Line 990

Heorot Reborn

Line 665

Line 1010

“No group ever gathered in greater numbers or better around their ring-giver?”

Symbol of a Ring?

For Tomorrow

Beowulf to line 1650

Grading Overview100-98 The most wonderfulest, awesomest essay in the entire world.

My socks were knocked completely off!!

97-90 You hit everything in the essay the prompt asked for. The Thesis Statement is formatted correctly as is the entire essay.

89-80 The essay is basically good, but you have wrongly formatted something, or something is disjointed in your essay.

79-70 The essay is not formatted correctly on several levels. There may also be several language problems.

69-below You have made a travesty of the essay writing process and you should be hunted for sport.

One Paragraph Format1)Thesis Statement using TAG Strategy

2)Sentence using Textual Evidence using an effectively embedded quote.

3)Explanation of how the quote proves your Thesis Statement.

4) Close the essay with an opening of your focus to society at large, the modern age, the world, etc…

Reasons why I think you are all trying to send me to an early grave:

…sets up a scene where……helps to show up…

…it shows……party the night before….

The quote “…Air quotes

Tense shifts…can I get a witness?Do not retell the story.

Do not directly address the reader. Perhaps think of an organizational style BEFORE you start

writing.

The epic poem, Beowulf, by an unknown author, shows that it was important for the English culture of the High Middle Ages to remember sagas in order to promote and preserve Anglo Saxon moral codes. For

instance, one example calls for leaders to inspire loyalty with in his soliders by “giving freely” so that they will “stand by him” in the mists of battle. This code was important because it helped the soliders trust that they were not going to war with a selfish

leader. This code became important in the High Middle Ages because in order for Kings to maintain

their power they needed loyal subjects and warriors to build the kingdom.

The epic poem “Beowulf,” from an unknown author shows that it was important for the English Culture of the High

Middle Ages to remember sagas in order to promote and preserve Anglo Saxon moral codes. Anglo Saxon moral codes include, loyalty, brotherly love, heroism, and generosity. Men of the High Middle Ages give their loyalty to the King and the King “would dispense his God-given goods to young and old,”

expressing his generosity. If the King did not express any generosity toward the men fighting for him he would lose loyalty and potentially be abandoned. In today’s society

loyalty, brotherly love, heroism, and generosity help in any situation. Much like the Anglo-Saxon’s, the military counts on

these moral codes.

In the epic poem Beowulf, from an unknown author, it was important for Beowulf and

Hrothgar to drink and feast the night before the battle with Grendel because it symbolized the

bond they had just made, as if they were brothers. Though they didn’t know each other

very well, the bond they created made Hrothgar say “Never…have I entrusted…anyone but (Beowulf).” This helped give Beowulf more

reason to fight. The feasting gave Beowulf more reason to fight; to help and protect a “brother.”

In the epic poem Beowulf by an unknown author it is important for Beowulf and Hrothgar to drink and feast the night before the battle with Grendel because it was

a way for Anglo-Saxon men to solidify their bond or alliance. Beowulf arrived at Heorot to help the king.

After explaining his intentions and introducing himself “a bench was cleared in the banquet hall so the Geats

could have room to be together…And the minstrel sang, filling Heorot with his head-clearing voice, gladdening that great rally of Geats and Danes.”The drinking and

feast was a celebration, welcoming the Geat’s help and alligence. It also represents how even before Beowulf fought Grendel he was already returning Heorot to it’s

former days of wassail and glory.

Exchange your essay with a partner.

Rewrite it, then explain(in writing) why you made the change you did.

Staple their essay on the back of your new essay and turn in

There were no worries because Beowulf came across the sea to help

save Heorot.

With Beowulf’s arrival the qualms that plagued the people were lessened.

You Teach, I’m Freakin’ TiredDirections

On a sticky note that you will receive, create a question about the text and

include the line number, please.

These can be about the sequence of the story, but you should be thinking of the

Literary Devices used and how they connect to the meaning (author’s purpose).

Now exchange your question with a partner and prepare an answer.

You must do this with

someone across the isle.

Essay 3In a well organized essay, and

using textual evidence, choose one of the many themes in

Beowulf and describe a literary device which best implements

that theme.

“it seems”

“it may”

Annotation step 7

In the folk epic “Beowulf” by an unknown author, the author employs allusions to invoke the theme of divine intervention. Everything is “God-given” and is seen as

“allowed” by God in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The author references God and his

influence over man’s decisiveness to effectively immerse God and Christianity

into the story. Most of today’s society believes in divine intervention and control

of God over all mankind.

In the epic folktale Beowulf, metaphors are used to implement the theme of Divine Influence. When all

seems lost in Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother a sword that “only Beowulf could wield it in a battle”

suddenly appeared to him. This sword represents the Divine influence of God by helping him win the battle.

Without the help of God Beowulf would have certainly died, instead an intervention by God

symbolized thoug a mighty powerful sword. This divine intervention in the form of a sword helps to

shape the role that God will play throughout the epic.

Throughout the epic poem Beowulf, written by an unknown author, the theme of divine influence is illustrated through a majority of allusions. Two very prominent parallels the story makes to Jesus’ sacrificial death

meant to save the Christians, and the Last Supper. Just as Jesus sacrificed himself to give Christians the opportunity of eternal life, Beowulf willingly took on the deadly task of attempting to defeat

Grendel even though he may “perish…in the fiend’s clutches.”(636) A parallel to the Last Supper is illustrated when the Helming woman urges

Beowulf to “drink deep and enjoy,” (617) because she fears it may be Beowulf’s last night on earth just as it was Jesus’ last night. The allusions

enhance the theme of divine influence and are meant instill religious values in it’s audience. The author’s purpose for attempting to instill

religious values in the audience is to pass along his or her own Christian beliefs and also to reiterate the importance of having morals.

Divine influence plays a major role in “Beowulf”, emphisised by christian monks

for the epic saga. God is constantly “weaving a victory” for Beowulf and his

thanes. Blunt use of praise to God as metaphors to the awesome power of the

christian faith lace God into the folktale. In times of distruction, mass amounts of

people look for saftey, the christian authors job is to bring people closer to

God and out of evil.

Correction

In the epic poem Beowulf, written by a unknown author, it is important for Beowulf and Hrothgar to

feast and drink before the battle with Grendel because it fulfills their desire to live their possible last days to

the fullest. Diction such as “proud and strong” portray the fear and anxiety that accompany battle as a fleeting

feeling when celebrating. This can be seen in modern times when people are diagnosed with a terminal

disease and want to accomplish certain things before they pass. They want to end life enjoying company and other blessings. Therefore the feast directly relates to

modern times.

(Lines 1650-2195)Be prepared to answer your

question(s) using textual evidence.

(You will be graded on how well you answer this

question(s).)

What happened to the giants who wrought the magic sword? Who was Hermond and why is he mentioned?

What is Hrothgar’s cautionary tale to Beowulf? What is meant by “a hurry of brightness overran the shadows”?

What is Beowulf’s promise to Hrothgar? What does Hrothgar tell Beowulf before he leaves?

How does Beowulf deal with the Guard on the coast? How is the Queen of the Geats described?

Who was Queen Modthryth and what made her so bad? What is the literary device employed here when describing Queen Modthryth?

Put the actions of Heareth’s daughter in context?What do the actions of Heareth’s daughter symbolize?

What does Hygelac say about what he thought of Beowulf’s undertaking?How does Beowulf describe Wealtheow?

Who is Hrothgar’s daughter?How is Hrothgar’s daughter described?

What event could Hrothgar’s daughter not prevent?

In Beowulf’s tale, what happened to the hosts’ birthright?How did the fight start that Beowulf speaks of?

Who is Withergeld?In what context is Withergeld mentioned?

Who “lies spattered in blood?”What happens to the oath-bound lords?

What purpose does Beowulf’s story about the Heatho-Bards serve? Who is Hondscio?

How is Grendel Described by Beowulf? What does Beowulf say Grendel is wearing?

What is an accoutrement?What is Grendel’s accoutrement made of and what is the literary device employed here?

To whom does Beowulf say that he won credit for Grendel’s defeat? Who is the “old reciter,” and how is what he does significant?

Who is the “ghastly dam?” Who was Aeschere?

What was the problem with Aeschere” burial? Who is the “terror-monger” and what is a tarn?

Who does Beowulf say all favor depends?What did Hrothgar tell Beowulf to do with some of the war-gear and why is this significant?

Discuss the rhetorical shift at the end of Beowulf’s tale and what is it significance? How “ought a kinsman act?”

How is Beowulf described at the end of the section and how is this significant? What do we find out about Beowulf that we did not know before?

What does Hygelac give Beowulf and how is this significant?

I) Introduction A) Opening

B) TAG C) Thesis

II) Big Question A) Announcement of Big Question

B) Embedded Quote C) Explanation of Quote

D) Connection of Quote to Author’s Purpose

III) Little Question A) Announcement of Little Question

B) Embedded Quote C) Explanation of Quote

D) Connection of Quote to Author’s Purpose

IV) Conclusion A) Putting the Big Question and the Little Question

Together B) Restatement of Connection to Author’s Purpose

C) Provide Universal Insight

Write an essay analyzing how the author portrays Hrothgar and Beowulf

and their complex relationship considering such devices as

Characterization and Analogy.

I) Introduction A) Opening: The father and son relationship has defined societies across the globe and across time. B) TAG: . The saga of Beowulf in which the author is unknown is the setting in which this relationship is

best portrayed. C) Thesis: . The complex relationship of Hrothgar and Beowulf is explored through characterization and

the way these characters are presented.

II) Big Question A) Announcement of Big Question: The relationship of Beowulf and Hrothgar

becomes complex as the two characters become closer, indeed as a father and son.

B) Embedded Quote C) Explanation of Quote

D) Connection of Quote to Author’s Purpose

III) Little Question A) Announcement of Little Question

B) Embedded Quote C) Explanation of Quote

D) Connection of Quote to Author’s Purpose

IV) Conclusion A) Putting the Big Question and the Little Question

Together B) Restatement of Connection to Author’s Purpose

C) Provide Universal Insight

The father and son relationship has defined societies across the globe and across time. The saga of Beowulf in which the author is unknown is the setting in which this relationship is best portrayed. The complex relationship of Hrothgar and Beowulf is explored through characterization and the way these characters are presented. The relationship of Beowulf and Hrothgar becomes complex as the two characters become closer, indeed as a father and son. As Beowulf left Hrothgar, probably the last time these men would face each other, Hrothgar offered fatherly advise to his near son as he told Beowulf, “Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards.” This is significant because these men began as distant cousins, barley knowing one another, but by the time Beowulf is prepared to leave, the wise Hrothgar is worried for his future, imparting the wisdom that only a father would give his devoted son. This becomes the most important narrative of the story as this complex new relationship takes form and grows and changes into a close familial bond. Characterization and the development of these characters is employed by the author to explore the intricate relationship between these two Anglo-Saxon warriors.

The world is filled with many complex relationships built upon different

personalities.

Now create your outline.

Do it NOW!!!

What was Hygelac’s fate?How long did Beowuf successfully rule?

What wakes the sleeping dragon?Why are there words missing from the story?

How was the treasure hoard first accumulated?What is a barrow?

Why was this treasure not shared with people? How long did the dragon guard the hoard?

How much was initially stolen from the dragon?After the dragon wakes, what is his strategy for attacking civilization?

How does Beowulf find out about the dragon? Why doesn’t Beowulf recruit an army to face the dragon?

Who was Heardred? How does Beowulf treat Heardred?

What is Heardred’s fate?How does Heardred’s fate affect Beowulf?

What does reconnoiter mean?What does Beowulf do to the person who woke the dragon?

Explain the line “Now blade and hand, sword and sword-stroke, will assay the hoard.” What boast does Beowulf make about fighting the dragon?

Why doesn’t Beowulf fight the dragon hand to hand? What is Beowulf’s men reaction to the dragon?

Who is Wiglaf? What does Wiglaf tell the rest of Beowulf’s men?

What is Naegling and what happens to it? How does Beowulf die?

What does Beowulf use to kill the dragon? Just before he dies, what does Beowulf tell Wiglaf?

What is done with the dragon's hoard?What does Beowulf order Wiglaf to build?