1. British Literature It’s a manic Monday! December 17, 2007 Mr. Houghteling

2. Agenda: 1. Bellringer Beowulf Questions – 2. Review “Beowulf’s Last Battle,” “The Death of Beowulf,” and “Mourning Beowulf.” 3. Beowulf Review Questions – Big Ideas 4. Homework: Complete the Big Ideas handout. Prepare to SLAY Wednesday’s Beowulf exam!

3. 1. “Light and life fleeing together” is an example of what literary device? (Two possible answers)

4. 2. List TWO reasons why Beowulf decides to help Hrothgar and the Danes when they are under attack from Grendel.

5. 3. What THREE things did the Romans bring with them when they invaded the British Isles? What are the effects of each of these three things on the Anglo-Saxon culture?

6. “Beowulf’s Last Battle” “The Death of Beowulf” & “Mourning Beowulf” Review

7. 1.Why does Beowulf want his friends to stay “close by”? 2. In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this suggest about how the battle might proceed? 3. What do lines 684-686 reveal about early Anglo-Saxon attitudes about life? 4. Lines 694-696. What do you conclude about the poet’s attitude toward the behavior of Beowulf’s comrades other than Wiglaf?

8. 5. What heroic quality does Wiglaf represent and champion in his speech? (lines 699- 735) 6. Lines 736-737 contain an example of which of our literary elements? 7. Figurative Language – Consider the remark that Beowulf has “unwound / his string of days on earth” (lines 737-38). What does it mean? 8. Does Wiglaf himself qualify as an epic hero? 9. Describe the interior of the dragon’s tower.

9. 10. Clarify the meaning of lines 801-803. To whom does his refer in line 802? To whom does his refer in line 803? 11. Do you agree or disagree that Beowulf “sold his life well”? (line 809) 12. What do Beowulf’s gifts to Wiglaf suggest about Wiglaf’s future? 13. What consequence will the warriors’ cowardice have for the rest of the Geat tribe according to Wiglaf?

10. Why does Beowulf want his friends to stay “close by”? Why does Beowulf want his friends to stay “close by”?

11. One word… FAME! If his friends are close to him as he fights, they will be able to relay his stories of glory to others.

12. In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this suggest about how the battle might proceed? In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this suggest about how the battle might proceed?

13. In lines 663-666, the dragon is the aggressor. What does this suggest about how the battle might proceed? “The monster came quickly…” “Flames beat at the iron / Shield, and for a time it held…” Beowulf is on the DEFENSIVE.

14. What do lines 684-686 reveal about early Anglo-Saxon attitudes about life?

15. “Unwilling to leave this world…” “A journey / into darkness that all men must make, as death / Ends their few brief hours on earth.” Death is unknown, and Beowulf is reluctant to leave Earth, where he has known great fame and glory.

16. Homework Finish your Beowulf Big Ideas handout Finish your Beowulf Big Ideas handout Reread as you need to…review and be prepared to go through an extensive review on Tuesday for your exam on Wednesday. Reread as you need to…review and be prepared to go through an extensive review on Tuesday for your exam on Wednesday.