Objectives
 We will be able to: justify the development of multiple
themes throughout Beowulf by selecting support from
the poem.
 We will be able to: create an advertisement for a new
Beowulf movie based on a theme used throughout this
poem and in various versions of the epic.
Final Reading of Beowulf
 Student popcorn reading.
 Our focus is on theme.
Themes Revisited: Name that
Character, Name that Theme!
Beowulf Themes
 The Importance of Establishing Identity
 Heroic Code
 Good Warrior and Good King
 Christianity and Fate
 Alienation or Loneliness
The Importance of Establishing Identity
 The Importance of Establishing Identity: Characters in
the poem are unable to talk about their identity or even
introduce themselves without referring to family
lineage. The poem emphasizes kinship bonds.
 While heritage may provide models for behavior, a
good reputation is the key to solidifying your place in
society.
Heroic Code
 Heroic code values strength, courage, and loyalty in
warriors; hospitality, generosity and political skill in
kings; and good reputation in all people.
 The code is important to warrior societies to
understand their relationships with the world and the
menaces lurking beyond.
 Work to gain honor
Good Warrior and Good
King
 Throughout the poem, Beowulf matures from a brave
warrior to a wise leader. His transition demonstrates
that a different set of values comes with each role.
 Whereas the youthful Beowulf, having nothing to lose,
desires personal glory, the aged Hrothgar, having much
to lose, seeks protection for his people.
Christianity and Fate
 There are many references in the poem to the
Christian belief in one almighty God who takes a
personal interest in human affairs. Beowulf and
Hrothgar give praise to God for the defeat of Grendel.
The outcome of battles is attributed to the judgment
of God, and Beowulf puts his trust in God.
 However, Christianity is only mentioned because of
the time period in which Beowulf was written since
the setting does not include the Christian tradition.
 That’s were the lines such as “Fate goes as fate must”
(455) fit in.
Alienation or Loneliness
 Beowulf is the hero who is alienated from society. He
is not an ordinary member of the community, and he
has no close friends or family members who he can
share his problems with.
 Beowulf thrives on this alienation as he chooses to
enter battle alone.
Theme Graphic Organizers
 Connection between theme and epic hero
 Use of evidence to support our themes
 Development of themes throughout text
 Themes building on each other
Theme
Identity
Good Warrior/
Good King
Alienation and
Loneliness
Honor Code
How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements,
quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.
Theme
How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements,
quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.
Identity
Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s
background
Beowulf ’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to
his father’s name
Good Warrior/
Good King
Alienation and
Loneliness
Honor Code
Theme
How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements,
quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.
Identity
Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s
background
Beowulf ’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to
his father’s name
Good Warrior/
Good King
Values/ Decisions of Beowulf
Values/ Decisions of Hrothgar
Values/ Decisions of Wiglaf
Alienation and
Loneliness
Honor Code
Theme
How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements,
quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.
Identity
Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s
background
Beowulf ’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to
his father’s name
Good Warrior/
Good King
Values/ Decisions of Beowulf
Values/ Decisions of Hrothgar
Values/ Decisions of Wiglaf
Alienation and
Loneliness
Beowulf ’s speech before his death
Wiglaf ’s commemoration of Beowulf
Beowulf ’s lack of followers
Honor Code
Theme
How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements,
quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.
Identity
Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s
background
Beowulf ’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to
his father’s name
Good Warrior/
Good King
Values/ Decisions of Beowulf
Values/ Decisions of Hrothgar
Values/ Decisions of Wiglaf
Alienation and
Loneliness
Beowulf ’s speech before his death
Wiglaf ’s commemoration of Beowulf
Beowulf ’s lack of followers
Honor Code
Values of kinship, courage, loyalty
Code of behavior and war
 Introduction of theme
 Advancement of theme
 Details, events, quotes,
and/or actions in
beginning of text that
introduce this theme:
 New details, events, quotes and/
or actions throughout the text that
continue to contribute to this
theme
 Summary of Theme
 How all the contributing details
emerge to solidify this theme by
the end of the text:
GROUP WORK
 You are working in groups of no more than four students.
 You are working quietly and only with those students that
sit near you.
 No one is to leave their seat or call out.
 You are to be completing your graphic organizer on your
theme.
 You have 10 minutes to do so.
Socratic Seminars
 Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions, prize
inquiry over information, and discussion over debate
 “The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a
text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within
the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the
comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and
articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the
thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to
question intelligently and civilly.”- Effie Israel
 Connection to Class Goal: College Bound
 Connection to Senior Exit Project
Socratic Seminar Logistics/
Norms
 You have to be active in the conversation
 Listen, and include your input.
 One voice at a time
 Respectful tone and language
 Use text evidence. Include line numbers
 Always explain yourself.
 Snaps
 Fishbowl circle
Socratic Seminar Norms
Socratic Etiquette
 We __________________ by looking at the speaker, taking notes, and
NOT talking while another person is talking
 We __________________ loudly enough for everyone to hear, asking
questions, and making statements that enrich the discussion.
We __________________ deeply about the ideas and values with an open
mind.
We ____________________________________ by citing specific page/line
numbers to support our point of view.
We __________________ each other.
We __________________ together.
Analysis and
Reasoning
Discussion
Skills
Civility
4
3
2
1
• Clearly references text to
support reasoning.
• Demonstrates thoughtful
consideration of the topic.
• Provides relevant and
insightful comments, makes
new connections.
• Demonstrates exceptionally
logical and organized
thinking.
• Moves the discussion to a
deeper level.
• Speaks loudly and clearly.
• Stays on topic and brings
discussion back on topic if
necessary.
• Talks directly to other
students (rather than the
teacher).
• Stays focused on the
discussion.
• Invites other people into the
discussion.
• Shares ‘air time’ equally with
others.
• References the remarks of
others.
• Listens to others respectfully
by making eye contact with
the speaker and waiting their
turn to speak.
• Remarks are polite and
demonstrate a high level of
concern for the feelings of
others.
• Addresses others in a civil
manner, using a collegial and
friendly tone.
• Occasionally references text
to support reasoning.
• Demonstrates consideration
of the topic.
• Provides relevant
comments.
• Thinking is clear and
organized.
• Rarely references text, may
reference text incorrectly.
• Demonstrates awareness of
the topic but little reflection on
it.
• Comments are mostly
relevant.
• Thinking is mostly clear and
organized.
• Does not reference text.
• Demonstrates little or no
consideration of the topic.
• Comments are off-topic or
irrelevant.
• Thinking is confused,
disorganized, or stays at a
very superficial level.
• Speaks at an appropriate
level to be heard.
• Stays on topic and focused
on the discussion.
• Aware of sharing ‘air time’
with others and may invite
them into the conversation.
• May occasionally direct
comments to teacher.
• Mostly speaks at an
appropriate level but may
need to be coached.
• Sometimes strays from
topic.
• Occasionally dominates the
conversation.
• Cannot be heard, or may
dominate the conversation.
• Demonstrates inappropriate
discussion skills.
• Listens to others
respectfully.
• Uses appropriate language
and tone.
• Remarks demonstrate a
concern for the feelings of
others.
• Listens to others
respectfully, but may not
always look at the speaker or
may sometimes interrupt.
• Remarks demonstrate an
awareness of feelings of
others.
• May be distracted or not
focused on the conversation.
• Interrupts frequently.
• Remarks demonstrate little
awareness or sensitivity to
the feelings of others.
• Uses an aggressive,
threatening, or otherwise
inappropriate tone.
How to write an effective
Socratic Seminar question
 Question Stems
 Question Examples
 Topics
 Goals
Student Discovery…
 Modeling of Preparation for Socratic Seminar
 Write a question on note card
 Participate in Socratic Seminar
 Independently reflect on your presentation
 Discuss strengths and weaknesses of our Socratic
Seminar
Reminders
 Expectations for tomorrow; Work for Tomorrow
 Due Thursday:




Thesis/ Purpose Statements
Letters to Judges
Socratic Seminar Prep
Modern Beowulf Writing Assignment
 Due Friday:
 Beowulf Unit Guide