Do Now #1:
• Write the following
question(s)/prompt(s) in your
composition books and respond in a
few sentences. Be prepared to share!
– 1. How would you define a “hero”?
– 2. What characteristics or traits does
a “hero” possess?
Do Now #2:
• Read lines #1-#10 in the Beowulf PDF
on the AP Eng Resources 2014 web
page (BT Website) silently, then write
your response to the following prompt
in your composition books:
– In lines #1- #10, describe what the text is
saying in your own words; that is,
summarize or paraphrase what the first
lines from Beowulf are describing.
Do Now #3:
Beowulf Review Quiz
The Anglo-Saxon Period &
The Epic Poem
BEOWULF
AP ENG LIT & COMP
–
Mrs. Willoughby-Hull
Monday, September 29, 2014
CCSS for ELA
Key Ideas and Details:
•12RL1 – Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to
support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text, including
determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Craft and Structure:
•12RL4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases
as they are used in the text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific
word choices on meaning and tone, including words
with multiple meanings or language that is particularly
fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as
well as other authors.)
Beowulf Unit Objective(s)
• SWBAT read, interpret and analyze the
epic poem Beowulf, as well as identify
the main character’s traits, the traits of
the “hero” as defined in Anglo-Saxon
literature, and the author’s use of
content-specific figurative language
(i.e. kennings, caesuras, alliteration,
etc.).
Questions? Comments?
Clarifications?
Anglo-Saxon History
A Brief Review
Anglo-Saxon Period
449-1066
Anglo-Saxon Period
• In 449, three groups or tribes
invaded Britain
–Angles
–Saxons
–Jutes
Anglo-Saxon Period
• Anglo-Saxons
– Drove the natives from the eastern,
central, and southern areas
– Became known as “Angles Land” or
England
– Germanic language developed into
“Angle-ish” or English
Anglo-Saxon Period
• Anglo-Saxons
– Originally started out with several tribal units
organized by a king.
– Witan = council of elders who would choose the king for each
tribal unit
– Tribal differences ceased, kingdoms intertwined
until there were 7 tribes left
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1. Essex
2. Wessex
3. Sussex
4. North Umbria
5. Mercia & the Midlands
6. East Anglia
7. Kent
Anglo-Saxons & Religion
• Anglo-Saxons were “Pagans”
• Paganism = polytheistic religion;
http://www.informationdelight.info/encyclopedia/ent
ry/polytheistic_religion
• Fate vs. Personal Freedom
• Christians believe that all individuals have the
freedom to make their own choice and were
monotheistic
• Early Anglo-Saxons worshipped
ancient gods of German mythology
Questions? Comments?
Clarifications?
Anglo-Saxons & Mead Hall
• All {social} events began and ended at
Mead Hall
– Mead: Fermented beverages made from
honey (Think of beer made from honey)
• The hall was built by the local lord or
king for the entertainment of the Thanes
– Thanes: warriors and soldiers loyal to the
local lord or king
Anglo-Saxons & Mead Hall
•
•
•
•
Feasting and Celebration Hall (Mead Hall)
Great Hall of the King
Safest Place in the Kingdom
Its Appearance:
– Rectangular
– Pointed roof
– Middle trench (dug-out ground) on the
inside for fires
– Two long, low tables on each side of the
trench with long benches
– Supported by rows of columns
Objective Review
• SWBAT read, interpret and analyze the
epic poem Beowulf, as well as identify
the main character’s traits, the traits of
the “hero” as defined in Anglo-Saxon
literature, and the author’s use of
content-specific figurative language
(i.e. kennings, caesuras, alliteration,
etc.).
The Anglo-Saxon Man
•
•
•
•
•
Athletic
Strong
Seafaring (Sailor)
Adventurous
Strong belief in fair play
Questions? Comments?
Clarifications?
Anglo-Saxons Ideals
•
•
•
•
•
Loyalty to his Lord or King
Great love of personal freedom
Respect for women
Love for glory
Honored the truth
Anglo-Saxon’s Literature
• Mostly oral stories, especially riddles told
by “Scops” or oral storytellers (bards)
– Written Poetry (Beowulf)
• Does not Rhyme
• Uses alliteration
• Uses Kennings – Compound Metaphors often hyphenated ex.
“Whales-path” = sea
– Symbolism with Seasons
•
•
•
•
Spring: Youth
Summer: Adult
Autumn: Old Age
Winter: Death
Beowulf as an Epic Poem
• Long narrative poem that
recounts the adventures of a
legendary hero in pursuit of a
goal of national importance.
• The hero’s accomplishments
reflect the values of his
culture.
Beowulf
http://www.history.com/shows/cl
ash-of-the-gods/videos/battleof-beowulf-and-grendel#battleof-beowulf-and-grendel
Beowulf
449-1066 AD
Lecture Notes
Notes on the Epic
I. The Epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a
legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of national importance.
II. Elements of an Epic:
A. Epic hero: The epic hero is the central character of an epic. His
divine birth is what pits his courage, skill, and virtue against
opposing, often evil, forces.
B. Quest: A quest is a long, dangerous journey or mission undertaken by
the epic hero. The quest is the hero’s opportunity to prove his
heroism and win honor and undying renown or fame.
C. Valorous Deeds: These actions demonstrate the hero’s courage,
strength, or virtue and make up most of the action in the narrative.
D. Divine Intervention: In many epics, the hero receives help from a
god or another supernatural force who takes an interest in his quest.
E. Great Events: Important events from the history or mythology of a
nation or culture often provide the backdrop for the epic narrative.
III. Types of Epics
A. Folk Epics: In ancient times, stories about heroes were recited or sung as
entertainment and passed down orally from one generation to the next.
These
stories were eventually written down long after they were first composed.
Examples:
Beowulf--Anglo-Saxon
GilgameshSumerian
Mahabharata-Indian
B. Literary Epics are written by individual authors, drawing on the style and
conventions of the folk epic.
Examples:
Iliad and Odyssey-Homer
Divine Comedy-Dante
Paradise Lost-John Milton
IV: Epic Conventions
Most epics share certain characteristics called epic conventions.
A. An epic opens by stating the subject or purpose, followed by an
invocation of a muse or supernatural force who tells the story.
B. The plot begins in medias res---Latin for “in the middle of
things.”
C. Most epics are serious in tone and lofty in style, a technique
meant to convey the importance of the events. Long speeches by
character suggest an impressive formality, as do the lists
(catalogs) of battles, weapons, and royal gifts.
Collaborative Assignment
Handout
© Student Handouts, Inc.
www.studenthandouts.com
Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________Class: _____
Visit www.studenthandouts.com for free interactive test-prep games…no log-in required!
Collaborative Assignment #1
• Individually or with an elbow partner, READ and
complete the 4-Box Model Graphic Organizer (See
Handout)
– Box 1: Write 2-3 quotes from Sections #1 - #4 of
pdf document) as textual evidence that captures
how Beowulf embodies the characteristics of an
epic hero
– Box 2: Identify, Write down and Interpret 3-4
literary devices from the text including line numbers
– Box 3: Write down 1-3 questions you have as you
read (question the text).
– Box 4: Write a 4-5 sentence or more summary of
Chapters #1-#2 (pp.39-46)
Collaborative
Assignment #2 - #4
1. Using the Internet, research a web site
of your choosing and locate a
summary of the epic poem Beowulf.
Read it!
2. Review “any” Beowulf Summary of
your choosing as needed
3. As a group or individually, continue to
read Sections #4 - #11 of the Beowulf
PDF
Collaborative
Assignment #2 - #4
1. In your collaborative groups continue to
work on:
– A shared Google doc of “bulleted”
Beowulf notes –
(Please share with me @
mswilloughbyhull@gmail.com)
– A large Cornell Notes Graphic Organizer
for Sections #4 - #11.
Achieve3000
1. Using the Handout Provided, complete
Teen Biz Article #1
2. Achieve3000 articles due Friday,
October 3, 2014
Questions? Comments?
Clarifications?