Introductory Information Beowulf Introductory Information
Warning! Reading Beowulf will challenge your brain! but… After, you will be smarter…and that is always a cool thing!
Getting Started Check-in: Group Check-in: Write at least 5 things you know about Beowulf. Write at least 2 reasons you think we are reading it in class. Group Check-in: List 5 mythical/fake heroes List 5 modern-day, real heroes
Background Information The Text It is a heroic epic poem! Written about 1000 A.D. Story takes place in late 5th Century When was that, anyway? Trojan War was in 1180 BC or so Anglo-Saxons were just settling in England & NW Europe German ancestry and lingual influence
More about the Text… Written in Old English A language used by Anglo-Saxons from 500-1100 A.D. Heavy Germanic (early NW Europe) influence Foundation of today’s English language Let’s have a listen! Has been translated numerous times A wee bit of controversy One original copy exists in the British Library
The Actual Text Was damaged a bit in a fire in ancient times.
The Perspective Written with a Christian perspective Society was mostly pagan Pagan? a person that believes in a polytheistic religion (many gods), as the ancient Romans and Greeks. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Story was passed down Considered the first important work of English Literature.
How is Beowulf a Poem? Some poetic and literary devices used: Similes Using like or as “she is like a rose” Metaphors Saying something is something else he is a pig Kennings A poetic phrase for a person or thing Sky-roamer = dragon; tail-turners = deserters Bone-cage = body; sail road = ocean Foreshadowing A hint of what is to come Alliteration Repetition of initial sound group or letters to a series of words All the H-names!
Epic Poems Epic Poem: It is an EPIC poem because A long poem that tells a story Involves someone overcoming large obstacles Often includes important events/ideas significant to a nation or culture It is an EPIC poem because Beowulf is a hero with great strength that faces impossible odds to prove himself It’s long Culture and history is part of the story
More literary terms to know Allusion: Reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object Story example: Cain and Abel Foil: A person who, through strong contrast, emphasizes or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another Example: Venom Theme: A major idea/lesson of life conveyed in a work Symbolism: Use of symbols; use of an object to represent or suggest another
Some things to think about Characters Plot Setting History Themes
Let’s Get Rollin’
How will we read the poem? Broken into 10 sections Lit Groups Reading aloud in small groups, reading independently, and listening to the story Find unfamiliar words Write down questions you have or that you may ask others Answering Questions Final Projects …all kinds of stuff
Big Beowulf Breakdown Lines 1492-1887 Lines 1-319 Pages 3-23