1. Beowulf as translated by Seamus Heaney Mathew Anderson

2. Are you a... Teacher Student

3. Learners 12 th grade, College-bound Students, In an English Language Arts Course Students studying individually to prepare for class. Students should have a physical copy of the text and internet access.

4. Objectives Students will gain an understanding of the historical and social context surrounding the Beowulf story. Students will gain some understanding of the history of the English language. Students will gain some understanding of the story of Beowulf before class discussion.

5. Environment Students should do this outside of class time.

6. What is Beowulf? Beowulf is an “epic” that today is retained in a single manuscript, written in Old English around about the year 1000 C.E.

7. What is Beowulf? Historians believe that Beowulf was circulating as an oral story before it was written down in England. This story is believed to predate the influence of Christianity. Scholars believe the Christian themes were added fairly late in the story’s life.

8. Beowulf's Manuscript Form

9. What is a manuscript? A manuscript, like the one shown on the previous page, is a type of book or work that is entirely written down by hand and are often subject to human error. Manuscripts remain preserved today as they were often written on animal skins rather than paper, allowing them to have an extended life.

10. What is Epic? Epic is a genre of narrative poetry that is characterized by its great length and its dealings with serious or otherwise traditionally worthy subject matter.

11. What is Old English? Old English is a precursor to modern English. Spoken in England between the 5 th and 11 th centuries.

12. Old English Alphabet

13. The Story of Beowulf Beowulf is a prince of the Geats, a tribe of southern Sweden, who comes to Denmark to help King Hrothgar rid his mead hall, Heorot, of a monster known as Grendel.

14. The world of Beowulf

15. The Tribes of Beowulf

16. The Text

18. Read your text as I read aloud.

19. Old English Transcription

20. Vocabulary Tholed - endured (something) without complaint or resistance; tolerate; suffered Renege - go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. Torques - a ringlike band or formation about the neck, as of feathers, hair, or integument of distinctive color or appearance; a collar.

21. Poetic Language Sometimes strange word combinations are used in Beowulf. Lets look at a few.

22. Poetic Language Whale-road – meaning “Ocean” Blood-lust – meaning “desiring of violence” Mead-hall – meaning “a large building that drinking parties are held in” Ice-clad – meaning “covered in ice”

23. Guess the meaning of Old English words þæt

24. Guess the meaning of Old English words þæt - that

25. Guess the meaning of Old English words wæs

26. Guess the meaning of Old English words wæs - was

27. Guess the meaning of Old English words god

28. Guess the meaning of Old English words god - good

29. Guess the meaning of Old English words cyning

30. Guess the meaning of Old English words cyning - king

31. Now Guess the Sentence þæt wæs god cyning

32. Now Guess the Sentence þæt wæs god cyning – That was (one) good King

33. Quiz What Language was Beowulf originally written down in? French English Old English

34. Incorrect Try Again!

35. Correct/ Quiz 2 What is the name of the monster that Beowulf first fights? Grindan Big Bird Grendel

36. Incorrect Try Again!

37. Correct/ Quiz 3 What is Epic? A king A boat A long poem

38. Incorrect Try Again!

39. Correct/ Quiz 4 From what tribe does Beowulf hail? Danes English Geats

40. Incorrect Try Again!

41. Correct/ Quiz 5 What is Heorot? A dog A boat A mead-hall

42. Incorrect Try Again!

43. Correct/ Fin Great Job, you are now prepared for class!