 Warm Up
 Do you believe that the manner in which
Beowulf killed Grendel was heroic? (This is your opinion!)

 When away from the safety of their home, Vikings relied on the dragon image for protection and good fortune….
 Why do you think Vikings and other cultures in the
Middle Ages believed in beasts such as dragons?

 They believed in beasts such as Dragons, in myths and legends, to explain life’s various phenomena.
 They did not have science and technology to explain the unknown.
 Today, we no longer need myths and legends to serve the same purpose. Or do we?

Translations: 75 Word Essay
Summaries
 Group 1: 485-505
 Group 2: 505-525
 Group 3 : 525-545
 Group 4: 545-565
 Group 5: 565-585

 Summarize what happens the mornign oafter
Beowulf’s triumph. 2-4 sentences….

 Summarize what happens the mornign oafter
Beowulf’s triumph. 2-4 sentences….
Warriors throng to Hert, tracing Grendel’s footprints to the bloody lake where he died. Later they re-tell the story of the battle, extolling Beowulf’s valor.

 What might Beowulf’s journey into the she-wolf’s lair symbolize?

 What might Beowulf’s journey into the she-wolf’s lair symbolize?
It symbolizes the descent into hell. Like the epic hero
Odysseus, Beowulf must descend to the underworld.

 What qualities of Beowulf does this passage reveal?

 What qualities of Beowulf does this passage reveal?
The passage reveals how Beowulf’s strong desire for fame motivates him in battle, inspiring his courage and tenacity. He fights on, although eh may be doomed.
One of Beowulf’s most striking qualities is his persistence in the face of adversity.

 Make sure you have a book and your packet. Make sure you are prepared for your quiz…..including vocabulary….

 What does this description imply about Beowulf’s strength?

 What does this description imply about Beowulf’s strength?
Beowulf surpasses ordinary warriors in strength. His strength is comparable to that of the giants who forged the sword.

 Irony is a discrepancy between expectation and reality.
What is ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother?

 Irony is a discrepancy between expectation and reality.
What is ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother?
Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother with her own sword.
Although she was attempting to avenge the death of
Grendel, she herself is slain by Beowulf.

 Why does Beowulf behead Grendel?

 Why does Beowulf behead Grendel?
Beowulf wants Grendel’s head as a trophy to replace the shoulder, arm, and claw stolen from Herot by Grendel’s mother.

 Why does the poet include this detail (noon) about the passage of time?

 Why does the poet include this detail about the passage of time?
The detail emphasizes the long duration of
Beowulf’s absence, making his return highly unlikely to his followers.

 What traits do Beowulf’s followers show here?

 What traits do Beowulf’s followers show here?
Beowulf’s followers show devotion and loyalty to their leader, who presumably has been slain.

 What does this detail suggest about Beowulf’s conflict with the monsters?

 What does this detail suggest about Beowulf’s conflict with the monsters?
This detail suggest that Beowulf has successfully resolved his conflict: he has purged the haunted lake by killing the two monsters.

Illustrating the Text Activity
 This section includes graphic depictions of events…
 Create three “murals” or works of art that depict the events from the epic.
 USE AS MANY DETAILS
AS POSSIBLE: dress, demeanor, action….
 Each of the three
“murals” must be accompanied by a short poem or rap, describing what is being portrayed in each mural.