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What have we been learning?. Where did English come from? What have been the major influences on our language? What was Anglo-Saxon life like? What’s a hero?. Today’s Questions. What is an epic? Who wrote Beowulf ? Can you define syntax. Literary Vocabulary. Beowulf. Kenning….
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What have we been learning? • Where did English come from? • What have been the major influences on our language? • What was Anglo-Saxon life like? • What’s a hero?
Today’s Questions • What is an epic? • Who wrote Beowulf? • Can you define syntax
Literary Vocabulary Beowulf
Kenning… • What is a kenning? • Book definition: Metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns. • (2 or more words that take the place of 1 noun) • Where would I find one? • Beowulf
Kenning… • Give me an example. -“Shepherd of evil” for Grendel • “Folk-king” for Beowulf • “Battle-flasher” for sword • “Candle of heaven” for the sun.
Lyric poem… • What is a lyric poem? • A short poem in which a single speaker expresses personal thoughts and feelings. In ancient Greece, they were meant to be sung. In modern times, are characterized by strong, melodic rhythms. • Where would I find one? • Shakespeare’s sonnets • Keats’s odes • Can you think of anywhere else? • “Seafarer” “Wanderer” “Wife’s Lament”
Lyric poem… He said I right what I see Write to make it right Don’t like where I be I like to make it like The sights on TV Quite the great life So nice and easy See now you can still die from that But it’s better than not being alive from straps Agreed A Mead notebook and a Bic that click When it’s pushed and a wack beat That’s a track that’s weak That he got last week ‘Cause everybody in the store Was like that’s that heat.
Caesura… • What is a caesura? • Book definition: a pause dividing a line into two parts. • Where can I find one? • Beowulf • Iliad • Aeneid
Caesura… • Give me an example. • An excerpt from Virgil’s Aeneid Of arms and the man, I sing. Who first from the shores of Troy Or… Sing, goddess, the rage of Achilles the son of Peleus. caesura
Epic poem… • What is an epic poem? • Book definition: A long narrative poem on a serious subject, presented in an elevated or formal style. It traces the adventures of a hero and share some or all of the following characteristics:
Epic poem… • Hero is a figure of high social status and often of great historical or legendary importance. • The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people. • The hero performs exceedingly courageous, sometimes superhuman, deeds that reflect the ideas and values of the era. • The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events. • The setting is large in scale, involving more than one nation and often a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands. • Long formal speeches are often given by the main character. • The poem discusses universal ideas, such as good and evil, life and death.
Epic poem… • Give me an example. • Beowulf • Iliad • Odyssey • Aeneid • Paradise Lost
Alliteration… • What is alliteration? • Book definition: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words used to emphasize certain words, to heighten moods, to establish a musical effect, to unify a passage, and to create meaning. • Where can I find it? • Poems, speeches, short stories, novels… • Beowulf
Alliteration… • Give me an example. • An excerpt from Beowulf Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came,
The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods p. 12-15 discuss Bayeux Tapestry How do you define great literature? How would you paraphrase C.S. Lewis’ quotation Based on the art, quotation, and unit title, what do you think the selections in this unit might be about?
P. 16-17 Timeline Select the 3 events you think are most significant and explain why. List these on poster or overhead & discuss.
Historical Background • Read p. 18-21 and complete The Anglo-Saxon Period Handout.
Around 600 B.C. . . Celts occupied British Isle • Pics • Welsh • Irish A.K.A Britons & Gaels
Where did they live? • Britons lived on the larger island, now known as Britain • Gaels lived on the smaller island, now known as Ireland • see p. 13 in textbook
Britons & Gaels (Celts) • Spoke different languages • Mainly farmers • Used iron tools • Lived in hut villages • Many tribal wars
Celtic Religion • “Pagan” religion • Worship of trees & nature • Druids were priests in charge of • Rituals • Prayers • sacrifices
Julius Caesar “Conquers” Britons • 55 B.C. • Julius Caesar claimed victory • Named it Britannia • Went back to Rome • No real Roman presence for next 100 years. • Caesar’s battle records 1st historic record of England
Roman Emperor Claudius • Invaded “Britannia” in 43 A.D. • Set up camps across the entire area • Roman rule lasted 300 years • Prosperous time for the island
Roman Contributions to Britain • Roads • Well-paved • Highway system connecting much of the island
More Roman Contributions: • Architecture • Meeting halls • Law courts • Temples • Amphitheaters • Public baths
Romans Leave in 407 A.D. • Roman troops recalled to Rome • Rome was under attack from other European tribes • Left Britannia vulnerable for attack
Anglo-Saxon Invasion • Comprised of 3 groups • Angles • Saxons • Jutes • Conquered Brittany Ca. 441 A.D.
Anglo-Saxon Life • By 600 A.D. Britannia became “Angleland” and later England • Anglo-Saxons were excellent seafarers and agricultural people • Women had very defined domestic roles
Anglo-Saxon Life • Old English is the common language • Tribal wars common • Pagan religion • Organized tribal hierarchy
Anglo-Saxon Pagan Beliefs • Wyrd (fate) determined their destiny • To attain immortality you must be Remembered after death for what you did on Earth • Scop can help you attain immortality
God Determines Destiny Immortality through salvation Worship 1 God Wyrd (fate) determines destiny Immortality= remembrance Worship many gods Christian vs. Pagan Beliefs
Christian vs. Pagan Beliefs Beowulf was originally told by a Pagan scop, but first written down by a Christain scribe, probably a priest. It ends up being a blending of both Pagan and Christian beliefs.
Anglo-Saxon Gods • 3 Days of our week are named for Anglo-Saxon Pagan gods • Tuesday = Tiu • Wednesday = Woden • Friday = Fria
Conversion to Christianity • 597 A.D. St. Augustine of Canterbury arrives in Kent • Converted King Ethelbert • Strategy: convert Anglo-Saxon kings who would then convert people • By 650 A.D. most of England is Christian
Christianity’s Importance • Advanced literacy—how? why? • Influenced literature—how? why?
Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy • King • Lord a.k.a. “loaf ward” (guardian of the bread) • Earl--ruling warlords w/sworn allegiance to king • Freeman—Earl gave churl freedom & enough land for churl’s family
Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy (cont.) • Churl (serf)- servants who work the land in exchange for military protection, food, shelter. Cannot be a warrior. • Thrall (slaves)—military prisoners or undesirable
Wergild Was the Way of Life • Word means “man price” • Heroic code to avenge wrong you or your kin suffered at the hands of enemy. • Avenge in 2 ways • Enemy pays you gold or land • You kill enemy or whatever vengeance you deem necessary
See Princess BrideClip You killed my father; prepare to die!
Comitatus: the Warrior’s Code • Comitatus—Latin term for the mutual loyalty between a king and his knights • Warriors pledged to protect and defend their lord at any cost, even their very lives. • The chief fought for victory, the followers fought for the chief.
Comitatus: the Warrior’s Code • On battlefield, disgrace for chief to be surpassed by his followers • Disgraceful for warrior if king dies and warrior doesn’t—meant a life of infamy and shame
Is Comitatus still alive today? The Patriot clip Scene # 25
The Mead Hall • Drink Mead • Eat • Sleep • Planned War • Entertain
Anglo-Saxon Scop • Poet performers • Sing/chant for hours • Accompanied by harp • Oral literature, not written See video clip of scop
Why was the Scop such an important member of Anglo-Saxon society?