“The Seafarer” Quiz

Please keep your answers covered and your eyes on your own paper. When you are finished turn your paper over and sit quietly.

Introduction to Beowulf

SOL: 12.3, 12.5

Why do we read Beowulf?

It’s the first Heroes Journey tale in EnglishThe poem documents the values,

questions, and attitudes of the time and explores themes that are still present today.

It relates the lifestyle of the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf’s poet tries to recreate the past for the reader; the poem is almost nostalgic for those bygone pagan days.

Beowulf Intro. (pages 22-23)

Marks the beginning of English literatureRecited by scopsBeowulf has 3 major sectionsOral recitationBased on legends of various Northern

Europeans

The time period of the actual story takes place in the late 5th or early 6th centuries.

In medias res: story picks up after 12 years of Grendel attacking Herot

Setting

Geats and Danes

Beowulf was a war leader of the Geats, a group of people in what is now southern Sweden

Hrothgar was king of the Danes

Beowulf is one of the oldest European epics.

Have you read any other epics?

Create a frame of reference that answers the following:

What are some attributes of a hero? a villain?

Discussion Questions

What does a hero look like?Can anyone be a hero?What does a villain look like?Where do these impressions come from?

Are these representations accurate?What does our popular culture and media

tell us about what a hero should be like?

The Battle Between…

Good

Our Hero BeowulfLoyaltyValorUnselfishnessSense of justice

Beowulf’s Name

Beowulf’s Name

Beowulf’s father– Edgetho In most cases, the son is named after the father

Don Donald (son of Don) McDonald (son of son of Don) McDonaldson (son of son of son of Don)

Proves Beowulf is own individual with own powers and abilities (and more important than his father)

Beo– Bear Bears are known as Great Protectors in Norse mythology Strong

Wulf– Wolf Wolves are also great protectors, but are also cunning and

speedy

Evil

Grendel the Monster

Do Now Vocab…Define the following

affliction massive

solace loathsome

mail fetters

mead-hall banner

affliction: state of pain or miserysolace: comfort, reliefmail: flexible body armormead-hall: banquet hallsmassive: big and solidloathsome: disgustingfetters: chains for the feetbanner: flag

Vocabulary

Epic

A long narrative poem that recounts the deed of a larger-

than-life hero that embodies the values of a particular society

Elements of the Epic

An Epic HeroAn Epic ConflictA Heroic Quest

A journey in search of something of value Divine Intervention

Epic Hero

Influential position in societylarger-than-life figure who reflects the

values and beliefs of the cultureSuperhumanoften of mixed divine and human birth and

so possesses human weakness on a quest for something of great value to

him or to his people

Epic Conventions

Opening statement of theme, followed by an invocation

Appeal for supernatural/godly helpin medias resSerious tone and an elevated styleLong lists/catalogsepic simileskennings