e402 british literature mr. klein. welcome ladies and gents! hint: the best dogs in the world… 1....
TRANSCRIPT
E402 British LiteratureMr. Klein
Welcome Ladies and Gents!
Hint: The best dogs in the world…
1. POP Quiz!2. New Rules3. Anticipation Guide4. Beowulf background
Beowulf Poem & Anglo-Saxon
Poetry
Answer This…
What qualities does an epic hero possess?
The Epic Hero
1. JOURNEY (UNAWARE OF HERITAGE)2. HELP FROM SUPERNATURUAL3. USUALLY MALE4. ACCOMPANIED BY FRIENDS5. BATTLES BECOME MORE DIFFICULT6. ONE CRUCIAL BATTLE7. RETURNS HOME/CHANGES8. MYTHOLOGICAL OR LEGENDARY FIGURE
OFTEN OF DIVINE DESCENT9. RECEIVES MAGICAL GIFTS10. RETURNS HOME AT THE END OF THE
JOURNEY
The Journey Signifies:
1. The search for identity.2. The desire to do what is right.3. The right to the ownership of a
kingdom or future. 4. Is a tool to bring order to societal
chaos. 5. Exemplifies what is right: social
order, morals, and values of the time
Beowulf Poem
1st masterpiece of English literature◦author unknown◦3,200 lines – Old English◦ 725 A.D.–estimated time
it was first written down◦ Events probably took
place in 3rd or 4th CenturySimilar to a fairy tale
◦Emphasizes nature of success, true friendship, final value in life and death
What does Beowulf mean? Anyone? Anyone?
Beowulf is a Geat from Sweden who comes to Denmark to rescue King Hrothgar from the demonic monster Grendel.
The tales are the stories of dream and legend, of monsters and god-fashioned weapons, descents to the underworld and fights with dragons, of the hero’s quest and of a community threatened by the powers of evil. (GOOD VS. EVIL)
“bee-wulf” or “bee-hunter”= BEAR
Anglo-Saxon Poetry
Format of the poetry- literary devices◦Unrhymed◦Used in medias res: “in the middle of”Story starts in the middle of the action, not at the beginning.◦Used alliteration- Crazy Crows Cry Crudely◦Caesura: slight pause in the middle of a verse:
God mid Geatum Grendles daeda◦Used kennings – metaphorical, descriptive
phrase (“whale road” = sea; “bone chamber” = body; “God’s bright beacon” = the sun)
BREAK TIMESTAND UP, MOVE AROUND, AND TALK
FOR A FEW MINUTES
You have ONE task: write down the most interesting thing you’ve just
learned.
Beowulf Poem
Beowulf Misc.
Has mixture of pagan and Christian elements
Poem is logical for the time period◦People of this era are concerned with mere survival
Beowulf Poem
Names/places to identify as you read:
Beowulf – Higlac –
Hrothgar – Edgetho –
Herot (“hay-ROW”)– Hrunting –
Healfdane –Grendel – Dragon -
Geats (“geets”) –
Characters
1. Beowulf
Beowulf
Grendel
Man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a mountain lake.
Grendel
Grendel’s Mother
Avenges her son; fights Beowulf
Dragon
Fights Beowulf 50 years after his battle with Grendel and his mother.
Homework
Complete the kennings worksheet and create two of your own.
Bring your textbooks tomorrow!