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

2. 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?

3. Beowulf
Why Beowulf?
Provenance
Setting
Poetic devices
Terms
Themes

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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…

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 ( )

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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Our Hero

15. Epic Hero
Tragic Hero
Romantic Hero

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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”

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

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

30. 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.

31. 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?

32. 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.

33. 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

34. 9/4/2015 – 4th & 5th Periods
Please have a seat. After I take attendance, we will go to the College & Career Center.

35. 9/3/2015 – Warm Up
What do you think Grendel looks like? Write at least 8 sentences describing him using Imagery (5 senses).

36. 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."

37. 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…

38. 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