Beowulf Extra Credit Options
1. Viking Quest
a. Go to bbc.co.uk and play the Viking Quest RPG. Go slowly and pay attention to historical
details the game goes over. Then, do a write up of what you did and learned (this can be
a creative piece that you write in first person as a Viking, or it can be a thoughtful
reflection on what you learned). Be sure to include the details of your quest; it is NOT
enough to say you built a ship and sacked a monastery. Break it down, step by step.
Include at least three historical facts you learn. Total of 30 points.
Check + (30)
Write up is detailed,
well thought out,
and gives a clear
picture of what
happened, including
at least 3 historical
facts. At least 250
words.
Check (20)
Write up is detailed,
well thought out,
and gives a clear
picture of what
happened, including
at least 3 historical
facts. 210-249
words.
Check – (10)
Write up is detailed,
well thought out,
and gives a clear
picture of what
happened, including
at least 3 historical
facts. 160-209
words.
0
Write up is not
well-thought out
and detailed, has
under 3 historical
facts, or is under
160 words.
2. Fanfic
a. Beowulf has several characters that never get much of a back story. In fact, many of the
characters may seem flat to us. Movie directors and modern authors sometimes
attempt to provide more depth to certain characters by inventing histories and motives
for them – for example, John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, gives Grendel’s character more
depth than the poem does. Pick a character from the following list and create a
backstory for him/her. This is a creative writing assignment, so be creative! Don’t
contradict the poem, however. For example, saying that Unferth is a mighty warrior
when the poet describes him as cunning but not strong would be inaccurate. Since this
is creative fiction I’m not going to give you a word count, but I would imagine it would
be hard to complete this in under two pages.
i. Unferth
ii. Grendel
iii. Wealhtheow
iv. Wiglaf
Check+ (30)
Your story is complete
(has a beginning,
middle and end) and in
line with what the
poem tells us about the
character. You add your
own new details and
Check (20)
Your story is complete
(has a beginning,
middle and end) and
mostly in line with the
poem. You provide a
new backstory that
gives the character
Check – (10)
Your story is complete
(has a beginning,
middle and end) and
provides new details
and backstory for the
character. You stray
from what the poem
0
Your story is incomplete
or you do not give the
character a backstory or
you stray significantly
from what the poem
says.
backstory to the
character and make
him/her more wellrounded.
more depth.
says about the
character more than 3
times.
3. Lights, Camera, Beowulf
a. Create a film adaptation of all or part of Beowulf. You can film one scene, or you can do
a condensed version of the story. You must be willing to share your work with the class!
NOTE: While some film makers add their own interpretations to characters and plot,
your film must be a faithful rendition of the poem. If you want to embellish a little or
change the language somewhat that’s fine, but don’t change the plot. You may work in
groups of up to three people, and you may recruit people who are not in this class to fill
extra roles if you need to.
Check+ (30)
Your video is at least
3 minutes, follows
the plot of Beowulf
accurately, and it is
clear that you made
a good effort.
Check (20)
Your video is at least
2 minutes, follows
the plot of Beowulf,
and it is clear that
you made a good
effort.
Check – (10)
Your video is at least
2 minutes long, you
clearly made some
effort, and you
follow the plot with
less than 2
deviations.
0
Your video is under
two minutes, shows
little effort, or strays
from the plot more
than 1 time.
4. Mix CD
a. Create a mixed CD with at least five songs that represent particular characters or
moments in Beowulf. You don’t have to turn in the CD itself if you don’t want to burn it,
but you should turn in your liner notes (the most important part). Liner notes should
include:
i. The song’s title and artist
ii. The lyrics you feel relate to Beowulf (I don’t want ALL the lyrics to the song, just
the lyrics you see as important to this assignment; if you want to turn in all the
lyrics, highlight the important ones)
iii. A paragraph for each song that clearly explains why you think this song could
describe a character or event from the poem, including references to the poem
with line numbers. For the check+ have at least 2 references to specific lines
within each paragraph. A paragraph will not count for credit without at least
one reference to specific line(s).
EXAMPLE:
Song: Fight for Your Right to Party, Beastie Boys
Lyrics: “You gotta fight for your right to party”
Explanation: Although most of this song does not relate to Beowulf in anyway, the
refrain, “you gotta fight for your right to party,” does. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel is
an example of person who fights in order to win the ability to have a party. Heorot is a
mead hall, a “wonder of the world” in which Hrothgar can dispense rings and celebrate
with his followers (line 70). The poet tells us that Grendel is mad because of the loud
noises Hrothgar and his men make while partying (lines 86-98). He attacks the hall
because of the noise, so in a way he attacks it because of the party. Beowulf has to
literally fight for his and the Danes’ right to party.
Check + (30)
Your CD has at least
5 songs and the
liner notes contain
song title, lyrics,
and a complete,
clearly written
paragraph
explanation for
each song with at
least 2 references
to specific lines per
paragraph.
Check (20)
Your CD has at least
5 songs. Liner notes
contain song title,
lyrics, and complete
paragraph
explanations for
each song with at
least 1 reference to
specific lines per
paragraph.
Check- (10)
Your CD has at least
3 songs. Liner notes
contain song titles,
lyrics, and complete
paragraph
explanations for
each song with at
least 1 reference to
specific lines per
paragraph.
0
Your CD has under
3 songs. Your liner
notes are missing
one or more
elements. Your
paragraphs contain
less than 1
reference to a
specific line per
paragraph.