Ms. Lytle – Dulles High School Beowulf Ms. Lytle – Dulles High School

Warm Up – August 31, 2015 Use your cell phone to research and answer the following questions: When was Beowulf written? 2. What century does Beowulf take place in? 3. What does the word Epic mean? 4. What happened to many pages of the Beowulf manuscript? 5. Where is the Beowulf manuscript today?

Beowulf Why Beowulf? Provenance Setting Poetic devices Terms Themes

Why Study Beowulf? 1. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the English language, so everything written since Beowulf stems from it in some way 2. The story of Beowulf encompasses common themes that we still see in English literature today 3. Beowulf is simply good writing

Why Study Beowulf? 4. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what you read, but how you read it, so…since Beowulf came first, you might as well start there. 5. Studying Old English improves your understanding of modern English 6. It’s a great story

Beowulf’s Provenance What we don’t know: who wrote it when exactly it was written how much, exactly, is based on historical truth

Beowulf’s Provenance What we do know: Beowulf is the oldest surviving English poem. It’s written in Old English (or Anglo-Saxon), which is the basis for the language we speak today. Some of the characters in the poem actually existed. The only copy of the manuscript was written sometime around the 11th century A.D. (1000’s), however…

The actual poem probably dates from the 8th century (700’s) or so, and… The story may be set even earlier, around 500 A.D. There are a lot of Christian references in the poem, but the characters and setting are Pagan…this means a monk probably translated it.

Beowulf’s Provenance So why wasn’t it written down in the first place? This story was probably passed down orally for centuries before it was first written down. It wasn’t until after the Norman Invasion (1066) that writing stories down became common in this part of the world.

Beowulf’s Provenance So what’s happened to the manuscript since the 11th century? Eventually, it ended up in the library of this guy. Robert Cotton (1571-1631)

Beowulf’s Provenance Unfortunately, Cotton’s library burned in 1731. Many manuscripts were entirely destroyed. Beowulf was partially damaged. The manuscript is now preserved and carefully cared for in the British Museum.

Setting: Beowulf’s time and place Although Beowulf was written in English, it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived. The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D.

How we date Beowulf Some Important Dates: 521 A.D. – death of Hygelac, who is mentioned in the poem 680 A.D. – appearance of alliterative verse 835 A.D. – the Danish started raiding other areas; after this, few poets would consider them heroes SO: This version was likely composed between 680 and 835, though it may be set earlier

Our Hero

Epic Hero Tragic Hero Romantic Hero

Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil Religion: Christian and Pagan influences The importance of wealth and treasure The importance of the sea and sailing The sanctity of the home Fate Loyalty and allegiance Heroism and heroic deeds

Warm Up 9/1/2015 Who is your favorite hero? What type of hero are they? Why? Romantic Tragic Epic - Use your notes to help you decide.

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 1. Alliterative verse Repetition of initial sounds of words (occurs in every line) b. Generally, four feet/beats per line c. A caesura, or pause, between beats two and four d. No rhyme

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Alliterative verse – an example from Beowulf: Oft Scyld Scefing sceapena praetum, Monegum maegpum meodo-setla ofteah; Egsode Eorle, syddan aerest weard.

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. The terror of the hall-troops had come far.

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 2. Kennings a. Compound metaphor (usually two words) b. Most were probably used over and over For instance: hronade literally means “whale-road,” but can be translated as “sea”

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for Other kennings from Beowulf: banhus = “bone-house” = body goldwine gumena = “gold-friend of men” = generous prince beaga brytta = “ring-giver” = lord beadoleoma = “flashing light” = sword

A few things to watch out for The Poetry in Beowulf A few things to watch out for 3. Litotes A negative expression; usually an understatement Example: Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes In this example, Hildeburh’s brother has just been killed by the Jutes. This is a poetic way of telling us she hated the Jutes absolutely.

Some terms you’ll want to know scop A bard or story-teller. The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment

Some terms you’ll want to know comitatus Literally, this means “escort” or “comrade” This term identifies the concept of warriors and lords mutually pledging their loyalty to one another

Some terms you’ll want to know thane A warrior mead-hall The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.

Some terms you’ll want to know wyrd Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.

Some terms you’ll want to know elegy An elegy is a poem that is sad or mournful. The adjective is elegiac. homily A homily is a written sermon or section of the poem that gives direct advice.

Warm Up 9/2/15 What does the word “evil” mean to you? What do you think of when you hear the word evil?

How to answer the questions: Use at least 3 complete sentences. A- ANSWER the question clearly.   P- PROVE that your answer is valid with text evidence. E- EXPLAIN your ideas by connecting your answer to your text evidence.

Question A Reread lines 1-2 aloud. Notice the use of alliteration with the repetition of the letters P and D. What mood, or feeling, does this alliteration convey?

Example of APE for Question A A: The alliteration in the first two lines of Beowulf conveys a menacing mood, a mood of evil. P: The sharp P sound in the words “pain” and “impatient” (line 2) cause the reader to feel uncomfortable and disturbed. E: The alliteration used by the author causes sets the mood of Beowulf to be eerie at the beginning when introducing the monster, Grendel.

Beowulf Group Questions Read pages 42 – 45. Answer questions B, C, D in APE format. Define the BOLD words in the questions in your Vocabulary section of your binder. Mood Universal theme Tone

9/4/2015 – 4th & 5th Periods Please have a seat. After I take attendance, we will go to the College & Career Center.

9/3/2015 – Warm Up What do you think Grendel looks like? Write at least 8 sentences describing him using Imagery (5 senses).

Grendel’s Description Grendel has many looks. This is because the description of Grendel is not clear. He is said to have "plundering claws," "powerful jaws" with "great teeth" and is known as the "huge one."

WANTED: Here’s the situation: There’s a vicious, bloodthirsty monster, Grendel, on the loose, ravaging the Danish countryside. After years of carnage, King Hrothgar has enlisted you to put together a poster that will promote the capture of this savage creature. Your poster must meet the following criteria…

WANTED POSTER RUBRIC: 20 points – Illustrate Grendel 20 points - Include a description of what Grendel looks like with specific detail (cite quotes from the book & your imagination) 20 points – Describe crime Grendel has committed. 10 points – Offer a Reward 10 points – Include your Name and Period on your poster 10 points – neatness 10 points – colorful