1. “Grendel’s hatred began...”
- Unknown Anglo-Saxon Poet

3. Putting it in Context
Historical and Cultural Setting
of Beowulf

4. Warrior Culture Valued bravery, loyalty, and strength
Tribes would rally around strong kings
Kings would reward his warriors with treasure

5. Modern-Day Monsters Dragons Government and Police Sharks
Zombies
Octopus
Boogie Man
Snakes and Lizards
Donald Trump
Government and Police
Natural Disasters
Money
Racists and Terrorists
School
Your boss at work
Murderers
Laziness
Anxiety
Gender Inequality
Media
Corporate America
Addiction

6. Structure of Beowulf
It is an epic poem: a long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a great hero
Heroes of epic poems embody warrior values, such as strength and courage
Several universal themes, such as loyalty/vengeance and good/evil

7. Language of Beowulf
Uses a great deal of alliteration: the repetition of sounds/letters at the beginning of words
Examples: lived happy in his hall
when darkness had dropped
Also has several kennings: a metaphorical compound phrase used in place of a person or thing
Examples: whale-road for the seas
ring-giver for a king

8. Modern Kennings Fender-bender: a slight car accident
Ankle-biter: an infant
Pencil-pusher: someone with an office job
Tree-hugger: an environmentalist

9. Conversation Define the following examples of kennings: Gas-guzzler
Rug-rat
Land-line
Cancer-stick
Couch-potato
Straight-shooter
Thor’s laughter

10. Let’s start reading Beowulf!
Task:
- Read Part One, stop after reading line 40
- Complete questions 1-6 on the handout