Beowulf Beowulf

Introductory InformationIntroductory Information

Warning!

Reading Beowulf will challenge your brain!

but…

After, you will be smarter…and that is always a cool thing!

Getting StartedGetting Started

Check-in:Check-in:– Write at least 5 things you know about Write at least 5 things you know about

Beowulf.Beowulf.– Write at least 2 reasons you think we Write at least 2 reasons you think we

are reading it in class.are reading it in class. Group Check-in:Group Check-in:

– List 5 mythical/fake heroesList 5 mythical/fake heroes– List 5 modern-day, real heroesList 5 modern-day, real heroes

Background InformationBackground Information

The TextThe Text– It is a heroic epic poem!It is a heroic epic poem!– Written about 1000 A.D. Written about 1000 A.D. – Story takes place in late 5Story takes place in late 5thth Century Century

When was that, anyway?When was that, anyway?– Trojan War was in 1180 BC or soTrojan War was in 1180 BC or so– Anglo-Saxons were just settling in Anglo-Saxons were just settling in

England & NW EuropeEngland & NW EuropeGerman ancestry and lingual influenceGerman ancestry and lingual influence

More about the Text…More about the Text…

Written in Old EnglishWritten in Old English A language used by Anglo-Saxons from 500-1100 A language used by Anglo-Saxons from 500-1100

A.D.A.D. Heavy Germanic (early NW Europe) influenceHeavy Germanic (early NW Europe) influence Foundation of today’s English languageFoundation of today’s English language Let’s have a listen!Let’s have a listen!

Has been translated Has been translated numerousnumerous times times– A wee bit of controversyA wee bit of controversy

One original copy exists in the British One original copy exists in the British LibraryLibrary

The Actual TextThe Actual Text

Was damaged a bit in a fire back in the day.

The PerspectiveThe Perspective

Written with a Christian perspectiveWritten with a Christian perspective– Society was mostly paganSociety was mostly pagan

Pagan?Pagan?– a person that believes in a polytheistic religion a person that believes in a polytheistic religion

(many gods), as the ancient Romans and Greeks.(many gods), as the ancient Romans and Greeks.– a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.

Story was passed among peopleStory was passed among people Considered the first important work Considered the first important work

of English Literature. of English Literature.

How is How is BeowulfBeowulf a Poem? a Poem? Some poetic and literary devices used:Some poetic and literary devices used:

– SimilesSimiles Using like or as Using like or as

– ““she is like a rose”she is like a rose”– MetaphorsMetaphors

Saying something is something elseSaying something is something else– he is a pighe is a pig

– KenningsKennings A poetic phrase for a person or thingA poetic phrase for a person or thing

– Sky-roamer = dragon; tail-turners = desertersSky-roamer = dragon; tail-turners = deserters– Bone-cage = body; sail road = oceanBone-cage = body; sail road = ocean

– ForeshadowingForeshadowing A hint of what is to come A hint of what is to come

– AlliterationAlliteration Repetition of initial sound group or letters to a series of Repetition of initial sound group or letters to a series of

wordswords– All the H-names!All the H-names!

Epic PoemsEpic Poems

Epic Poem:Epic Poem:– A long poem that tells a storyA long poem that tells a story– Involves someone overcoming large obstaclesInvolves someone overcoming large obstacles– Often includes important events/ideas Often includes important events/ideas

significant to a nation or culturesignificant to a nation or culture It is an EPIC poem because It is an EPIC poem because

– Beowulf is a hero with great strength that faces Beowulf is a hero with great strength that faces impossible odds to prove himselfimpossible odds to prove himself

– It’s longIt’s long– Culture and history is part of the storyCulture and history is part of the story

More literary terms to knowMore literary terms to know Allusion:Allusion:

– Reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or Reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or objectobject

Story example: Cain and AbelStory example: Cain and Abel Foil:Foil:

– A person who, through strong contrast, emphasizes or A person who, through strong contrast, emphasizes or enhances the distinctive characteristics of anotherenhances the distinctive characteristics of another

Example: Venom Example: Venom Theme:Theme:

– A major idea/lesson of life conveyed in a workA major idea/lesson of life conveyed in a work Symbolism:Symbolism:

– Use of symbols; use of an object to represent or suggest Use of symbols; use of an object to represent or suggest anotheranother

Some things to think aboutSome things to think about

CharactersCharacters PlotPlot SettingSetting HistoryHistory ThemesThemes

Let’s Get Rollin’Let’s Get Rollin’

How will we read the poem?How will we read the poem? Broken into 10 sectionsBroken into 10 sections Lit GroupsLit Groups Reading aloud in small groups, reading Reading aloud in small groups, reading

independently, and listening to the storyindependently, and listening to the story Find unfamiliar wordsFind unfamiliar words Write down questions you have or that you Write down questions you have or that you

may ask othersmay ask others Answering QuestionsAnswering Questions Final ProjectsFinal Projects ……all kinds of stuffall kinds of stuff

Big Beowulf BreakdownBig Beowulf Breakdown

Lines 1-319Lines 1-319– Pages 3-23Pages 3-23

Lines 320-661Lines 320-661– Pages 23-45Pages 23-45

Lines 662-1007Lines 662-1007– Pages 45-67Pages 45-67

Lines 1007-1250Lines 1007-1250– Pages 67-89Pages 67-89

Lines 1251-1491Lines 1251-1491– Pages 89-103Pages 89-103

Lines 1492-1887Lines 1492-1887– Pages 103-129Pages 103-129

Lines 1888-2199Lines 1888-2199– Pages 129-149Pages 129-149

Lines 2200-2537Lines 2200-2537– Pages 149-171Pages 149-171

Lines 2538-2820Lines 2538-2820– Pages 171-191Pages 171-191

Lines 2821-3182Lines 2821-3182– Pages 191-213Pages 191-213