1. Anglo-Saxon Literature
The Middle Ages
Anglo-Saxon Literature

2. Lesson Focus
Identify notable elements in Anglo-Saxon (glory and honor, etc.) and Medieval literature and use this information appropriately in written and oral response
Read a variety of works from Anglo-Saxon writers
Experience the quality of work created by Anglo-Saxon writers
Identify the elements of humor, satire, and understanding of human nature evident in Anglo-Saxon literature

3. Literary Terms
Poetry - Traditionally, language arranged in lines with a regular rhythm and often with a definite rhyme
Oral Tradition - a community's cultural and historical traditions passed down by word of mouth or example from one generation to another without written instruction
Alliteration — The repetition of consonant sounds in a group of words close together
Personification — A figure of speech in which something nonhuman is given human characteristics or feelings, or when something inanimate is given animate qualities

4. Wyrd - The Anglo-Saxon concept of Fate (religious belief)
Kenning - A form of poetic imagery commonly found in Anglo-Saxon poetry
Gleeman – The singer/performer of Anglo-Saxon literature
Scop - an Old English poet or bard
Epic - A long narrative poem, usually about larger-than-life heroes and legendary events, which celebrates the history, culture, and character of a people
Caesura - a pause of breathing space within a line of verse, generally occurring between syntactic units; often identified by the use of punctuation or a dash
Lyric - Verse, usually brief, that focuses on the emotions or thoughts of the speaker

5. 1 – Anglo-Saxon Riddles Unit Syllabus
View VHS: Brief history of Anglo-Saxons/ Middle Ages with study questions
Complete questions for HW grade
What are the pros and cons of living in the Middle Ages?
Read Anglo-Saxon Riddles, pages 7-9
Class Discussion
Literary Critique questions 1-3, page 10

6. Anglo-Saxon Values Evaluation:
Family is important; love of laughter and personal expression
The Anglo-Saxons were intelligent people, in spite of the difficult life they probably led
Evaluation:
Reading Comprehension Quiz – Anglo-Saxon Riddles

7. Anglo-Saxon Literature
Poetry

8. Literary Terms
Imagery — Words or phrases that use description to create pictures, or images, in the reader’s mind
Elegiac/Elegy — A mournfully contemplative poem that mourns the death of someone or the loss of something
Connotation - The suggested meaning of a word or phrase Folk Ballad – Originates as an anonymous song and is passed down orally before being written down
Quatrain – A group of four lines of verse which are unified in thought and sometimes in rhyme

9. "The Ruin," pages 11-14
Analyze the order of the poem from present, to past; does this add to the meaning of the poem?
Explain the purpose or theme of the poem.
What is the poet reminding us of?

10. "Sir Patrick Spens," pages 67-72
Honor, glory, and integrity at all cost
Create a list of heroes and the qualities they exhibit

11. "The Wife of Usher's Well," pages 73-76
The role of the mother/female

12. Home Work Literary Critique questions 1, 2, 4, page 13-14
Page 72, Journal Workshop: Dialogue is one of the literary devices used in the ballad form. Write a short paragraph discussing how dialogue helps to move the plot forward in this ballad