Standards 2.0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials) Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced. 2.4 Make warranted and reasonable assertions about the author's arguments by using elements of the text to defend and clarify interpretations. 2.5 Analyze an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject. Writing 3.6 Analyze the way in which authors through the centuries have used archetypes drawn from myth and tradition in literature, film, political speeches, and religious writings (e.g., how the archetypes of banishment from an ideal world may be used to interpret Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth). 3.7 Analyze recognized works of world literature from a variety of authors: a. Contrast the major literary forms, techniques, and characteristics of the major literary periods (e.g., Homeric Greece, medieval, romantic, neoclassic, modern). b. Relate literary works and authors to the major themes and issues of their eras. c. Evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, and settings. Objectives Students will be able to… – compare and contrast – identify and utilize – read and respond – analyze – describe and predict

Review of yesterday… Who… – is the story about? Beowulf, an epic hero, and his epic quests The three tribes (Geats, Danes, and Swedes) – wrote the story? Name unknown Believed to be an English monk Ancestors were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes Where… – does the story take place? – was the story written down?

When? When was it written? It was probably written sometime around 700 A.D. When did the events in it take place? Again, it is a fictional work. However, it is an imaginative work about people who occupied the Baltic region sometime in the fifth century A.D. Some events in the poem did take place: – The raid against the Franks by Hygelac, Beowulf’s lord, took place in the sixth century A.D. It is important to remember the vast role time (Past, Present, and Future) plays within the poem itself. Beowulf and the other characters who populate the poem seem to be obsessed themselves with the human relationship to time (or “when”) Most important thing to remember is that it is a poem that reminisces about a previous, “dead” world.

Where? Where was it written? It was written down, most likely, in the kingdom of Mercia (East Central Enlgand today). Where do the events in the poem take place? The action in the poem takes place in Geatland and Denmark (the island of Zealand and in Southern Sweden)... Or more generally, in the Baltic region of Scandinavia Also consider more specific settings: – The sea, the meadhall, the swamp, the cliff, the battlefield, etc. In the modern world, it is Denmark and Sweden and the islands in the Baltic between the two countries.

The Scary, Horror Movie “Where” Heaney puts it nicely in his introduction when he says that Beowulf takes place in a “once upon a time world” and that it taps into “three archetypal sites of fear”: – The barricaded night house (Grendel) – The infested underwater current (Grendel’s mother) – Reptile-haunted rocks of a wilderness (dragon) I like to think of them this way, in terms which may mean more to your and my generation: – Our beds on a stormy night when we are alone in the house (where we should feel safe) – A murky lake, or the beach where Jaws takes place (Ever been waterskiing and wondered what was nibbling on your toes?). Or, how about a dark forest by yourself? – The dark recesses of the earth: a cave, or even better, your own, dark basement

Why? Why do we read it? – It’s a very creative, imaginative, poetic masterpiece (see the Heaney intro; this is why he wants us to read it—not “because we have to”!!!) – It gives us insight into the origins of the British people, the culture who, through seafaring conquest, founded the world we currently live in – It gives us insight into the origins of our language – It gives us insight into all people everywhere and throughout time (time, birth, death, fame/success/glory, honor, friendship, conflict, home, country, adventure, spirituality—all of these things transcend English literature and matter to all people) – It’s challenging and we all love a good challenge! – It’s scary and gets us to think about our own worst fears – It’s a VERY important piece of literature historically (this is the “because we have to” reason!).

Important Themes in the Poem Past, Present, and Future (and Fate) Life and Death Fame (often achieved through war) Setting – Geography (Denmark, Geatland, Sweden,... And England??) – The Meadhall (Heorot) Good vs. Evil & Religion – Man vs. Man – Man vs. Beast (Man vs. Himself? If allegorical) – Good Christian Traits vs. Evil – Good Pagan (Anglo-Saxon traits) vs. Evil – Bad Pagan Traits – Christianity vs. Paganism (Paganism not evil) Anglo-Saxon Code – Friendship – Loyalty – Fame, Honor – Bravery – Generosity – Man-Pride – Thane’s duty to his Lord; Lord’ duty to his Thanes Christianity emerging as the dominant faith and worldview in the Scandinavian world Stories and Songs themselves

Review of Important Details Epic poem Written in Old-English about the early Christian, but still pagan, Scandinavians who eventually conquered most of England Epic hero represents the values of his culture

Literary terms to know… Epic Epic hero Allegory Anglo-Saxon lyrics and its elements: – regular rhythms, with four strong beats – Caesuras – Kennings – Assonance – Alliteration

Prologue Old English Modern English So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns. There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. This terror of the hall-troops had come far. A founding to start with, he would flourish later on as his powers waxed and his worth was proved. In the end each clan on the outlying coasts beyond the whale-road had to yield to him and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king.

Briefly compare and contrast Old English and Modern English. What similarities do you see and what are the major differences? Seeing how the English language has changed over a thousand years, what changes are you aware of with Modern English today that have changed in the past 100 years? 50 years? 25 years? In other words, what evidence do we have that English is still changing and adapting to society and culture?

Tell me what your criteria for a good action/adventure story is and predict what kind of hero and character Beowulf will be. Include the specifics of what you think action/adventure is and the qualities and character traits you expect Beowulf to exhibit as the epic hero of the story.

Respond to each question using a complete (but brief!) sentence. Each student will turn in all their answers when they have finished ALL of the questions. Turn in to turnitin.com only when every question is complete. We will read this epic in four parts, there will be four slides that identify the parts to read for homework that night and the corresponding questions to answer. You should answer the questions as we read, even though they won’t be turned in until we are finished reading.

Part 1: The Wrath of Grendel and The Coming of Beowulf 1. Describe the demon who threatens the meadhall. 2. To whom is Grendel related? (Hint: Think Biblical) 3. What does the story of Grendel’s origins suggest about the beliefs of Anglo-Saxon culture? 4. What does Grendel resent about Hrothgar and his men? 5. Why do the Danes flee Herot in the night? 6. How does the length of suffering increase the epic feeling of this tale? 7. According to the poet, who made the earth? 8. While Grendel attacks Heorot, he does NOT approach what? Why? 9. To whom/what do many of the Danes’ “powerful counsellors” turn for help? 10. Who is Higlac’s follower? From which region/country does he come? 11. What does he hear about? 12. Why does Beowulf sail to Denmark? 13. What does Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture? 14. Who is Beowulf’s father? What is the world’s opinion of him? 15. How do word choice and other stylistic features of the watchman’s speech add a serious, epic tone to his question?