beowulf as translated by seamus heaney mathew anderson
TRANSCRIPT
Beowulfas translated by Seamus Heaney
Mathew Anderson
Are you a...
Teacher
Student
Learners
12th 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.
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.
Environment
Students should do this outside of class time.
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.
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.
Beowulf's Manuscript Form
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.
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.
What is Old English?
Old English is a precursor to modern English. Spoken in England between the 5th and 11th
centuries.
Old English Alphabet
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.
The world of Beowulf
The Tribes of Beowulf
The Text
Read your text as I read aloud.
Old English Transcription
Poetic Language
Sometimes strange word combinations are used in Beowulf. Lets look at a few.
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”
Guess the meaning of Old English words
þæt
Guess the meaning of Old English words
þæt - that
Guess the meaning of Old English words
wæs
Guess the meaning of Old English words
wæs - was
Guess the meaning of Old English words
god
Guess the meaning of Old English words
god - good
Guess the meaning of Old English words
cyning
Guess the meaning of Old English words
cyning - king
Now Guess the Sentence
þæt wæs god cyning
Now Guess the Sentence
þæt wæs god cyning – That was (one) good King
Quiz
What Language was Beowulf originally written down in?
French
English
Old English
Incorrect
Try Again!
Correct/ Quiz 2
What is the name of the monster that Beowulf first fights?
Grindan
Big Bird
Grendel
Incorrect
Try Again!
Correct/ Quiz 3
What is Epic?
A king
A boat
A long poem
Incorrect
Try Again!
Correct/ Quiz 4
From what tribe does Beowulf hail?
Danes
English
Geats
Incorrect
Try Again!
Correct/ Quiz 5
What is Heorot?
A dog
A boat
A mead-hall
Incorrect
Try Again!
Correct/ Fin
Great Job, you are now prepared for class!