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In order to navigate to a specific objective within the program, locate the icon and click; the program will advance you to the objective.

What do you know about Beowulf? Find the K on the chart below and

write down everything you know about Beowulf. Next, in the column

labeled W write down what you want to learn about Beowulf. Do not

write in the L column.

Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension

KWhat I KNOW

WWhat I WANT to Know

LWhat I LEARNED

     

Beowulf is a story about a wolf.

What kind of wolf is it?

What is a hero?

Explain yourdefinition

and give examples.

•Beowulf is written in Old English.

•The poem describes the adventures of a great sixth century Scandinavian warrior. Most scholars agree that the poem was written before the eleventh century.

•Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in British literature.

•Only one manuscript survived a devastating fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton.

•The Beowulf manuscript is now on display in the British Library in London, England.

Sir Robert Bruce Cotton was an English politician and founder of the famous Cotton Library. Handsome devil, wasn’t he?

…and just think, without a typewriter or computer. It was ALL written by hand.

The refurbished Cotton Library still exists today!!!

Beowulf is an epic poem. An epic is a long poem telling a story about a hero and his adventures.

It is also considered a folk epic because it is put together from stories or folk tales told though the oral tradition.

Today, Beowulf is considered to be the greatest surviving work in Old English.

1st Good conquers evil Good and evil is represented

through many of the characters in the story of Beowulf.

2nd Reputation One’s reputation during this time in

history was important. It was the single quality that endured after death. It was the warrior’s one key to immortality.

3rd Loyalty The society in the poem “Beowulf”

depended on the loyalty of its people. Loyalty is one of the major characteristics that bound this culture together.

Themes are the general ideas explored in a piece of literature; what the author wants you to think about. In Beowulf, there are many themes, but we’ll just look at a few.

As you read, use the graphic organizer to track the actions of those characters whose actions help bring a positive resolution to the story’s plot.

Who you came from helped determined your immortal glory.

What does it mean to be loyal? Why would a society value loyalty?

Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension, analysis

1. Identify the Literary Elements of the Epic Poem

Kenning is an Anglo-Saxon literary device, commonly found in epic poetry. Kennings are characteristic used to rename the person or thing talked about in a passage.

Examples of kennings from Beowulf include:

Lord/king - kenning: “the protector of warriors”, “ring-giver”

Battle -  kenning: “the storm of swords”

We still use kennings today. Batman is also known as the “caped crusader” while Robin is known as the “boy-wonder”.

Can you think of a kenning for the following nouns? mother, father, grandmother, grandfather.

A fun way to write, really. It stops repetition! It stops repetition!

Beowulf is the protagonist. Grendel is the antagonist.

Directions: Select the best answer to each question.

1. Who is the high-ranking noble from Geatland, who comes to the aid of the King Hrothgar. a) Healfdane b) Beowulf c) Unferth

b) Beowulf

2. What is the name of Grendel’s mother? a) Yrs b) She c) Welthow

b) She

3. After the death of his father what warrior vows to fight by Beowulf’s side? a) Healfdane b) Wiglaf c) Unferth

b) Wiglaf

Shild, the most beloved king of the Danes traveled to Denmark alone; he was an abandoned child.

The great king ruled his kingdom well, and wherever Shild sailed, he won respect and obedience.

An honorable king, Shild gave to the Danes a prince whose power and fame spread through the land. He was the glory of Denmark. Even his father’s warriors loved him.

Shild’s reign was long. He lived to be a an old man. Upon his death, Shild was deeply mourned. He was placed in a ship and sent floating away. He left his Danes in the same way in which he had arrived, an abandoned orphan.

Sailing, sailing over the seven seas…

Remember, in oral tradition a man’s name was important. It was a warrior’s key to immortality.

Why do Shild’s subjects return him to the sea?

Prologue

Hrothgar answered Beowulf with words of encouragement, and recalled the friendship that he once had with Beowulf’s father. Hrothgar told of his older brother’s death and how he then took the Danish throne.

Hrothgar continued his speech explaining the terror that Grendel had brought upon his land; of the monster’s stalking of Herot and its stained red floors. After their introductions, Hrothgar ordered a feast in Beowulf’s honor.

We had to throw a bit of the gory stuff in or the guys in class would lose interest.

Typical. Blood, guts and food!

Section 7

It’s all about the name!!! So almost a thousand years later when Shakespeare asks what’s in a name... We all know, right?

Beowulf:

Grendel:

Shild:

Beo:

Healfdene:

Hrothgar:

Unferth:

Welthow:

She:

Esher:

Higlac:

Herdred:

Identifying Character Traits

BeowulfCharacter’s Actions: What actions tell about the character