1.  September 28, 2015

2.  Submit your Essay Corrections by turning in your folder, essay, and essay corrections. o The Essay Corrections sheet should be stapled to the inside of the folder along the top so it can be flipped to the other side. o Turn in your folder to the stack on the rolling “podium.”  If you are interested in attending CSU, a representative will be here today during 7 th period. Talk to Ms. Smith (the counselor) before 1:30 today to receive a pass if interested.

3. For our warm up today, discuss these questions in your small group. Off task discussions in your group will result in a reading quiz. 1. Why does Unferth allude to an old childhood tale about Beowulf’s adventure with Brecca during the celebration? 2. How does Beowulf respond to Unferth’s accusations? Analyze his rhetoric in this speech. 3. How does Beowulf prepare for the battle with Grendel? 4. What do the Danes do with Grendel’s arm? What message does this send?

4.  Edith Hamilton Pages 427-429

5. In Norse mythology, Sigmund is a hero whose story is told in the Volsunga Saga. Sigmund and his sister (Signy) are the children of Volsung. Sigmund is also the father of Sinfiotli (Fitla in Beowulf) and Sigurd (famous dragon-slayer).  Signy marries Siggeir and at the wedding feast Odin (Nordic God) arrives, disguised as a beggar. He plunges a sword into the Barnstokk (a living tree) where Volsung’s hall is built. The disguised Odin announces that the man who can remove the sword will have it as a gift.  Only Sigmund is able to free the sword from the tree, much to the jealous of Signy’s new husband (Siggeir). Siggeir decides to capture Sigmund and his 8 brothers and murders his father (Volsung) in his jealousy.

6.  In your groups, read section 13 of Beowulf. o Siegmund and Sinfiotla (or “Fitla”) were great heroes—like Beowulf could be. o Hermod was an prideful and greedy king who lead to the destruction of his people.

7.  Finn was a prideful, greedy king. He attacked a peaceful Danish tribe with no warning, killing their king (Hnaf) and many of his people. He took Hnaf’s sister as his wife, whom lost both her brother and her son to Finn’s attack. Finn lost many of his own, so he cleverly offered words of peace and a shared crown. Hnaf’s people were too weak to keep fighting so they agreed to Finn’s peace offering. Finn took them back to his kingdom across the sea. Though the Danes longed for their home. Hengest, Hnaf’s follower and next in line for the throne, killed Finn and his followers. Hnaf’s people took back their treasures and Finn’s wife to go back home to Denmark.  This myth is alluded to in sections 16-17 of Beowulf when the scop narrates the tale. King Hrothgar seems to be sending a message to Beowulf. What is it?

8.  Read and complete the annotations for sections 13-20 of Beowulf. o Section 13: Myth of Signy and Siegmund (narrative digression) o Section 16-17: War of the Frisians (narrative digression) o Section 18-20: A New Monster Arrives in Town  There will be an annotation check on Thursday.