1 / 20

Beowulf

Beowulf. Text and Context. HELP! I need somebody!. Think of a time when you helped someone in need or someone helped you OR a time when you did NOT render help and wish you had. Give a brief summary of the incident then answer the following analysis questions:

ksena
Download Presentation

Beowulf

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Beowulf Text and Context

  2. HELP! I need somebody! • Think of a time when you helped someone in need or someone helped you OR a time when you did NOT render help and wish you had. Give a brief summary of the incident then answer the following analysis questions: • What was your/their motivation (why was help rendered?)? • What was the result? • What would have happened if help was not rendered? • Did anyone else offer help? Why/why not?

  3. Epic • Unknown author • The national epic of England (first work to be composed in English) • A long heroic poem, about a great legendary warrior renowned for his courage, strength, and dignity.

  4. The Beowulf Poet • Christian; reflects established tradition • Allusions to the Old Testament • Beowulf is a Redeemer who is sent by God to save man from sin: • Christ archetype: Correspondences between Beowulf’s death and the death of Christ • The price of salvation is life itself

  5. The Epic Hero Defeats his enemies using Physical strength Skill as a warrior Nobility of character Quick wits Is not modest – boasting is a ritual Embodies the ideals and values of his people Is eager for fame Because the Germanic tribes believed death was inevitable, warriors sought fame to preserve the memory of their deeds after death A man of high social status whose fate affects the destiny of his people

  6. Heroic Values in Beowulf • Relationship between king and his warriors • The king rewards his warriors with gifts • If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergeld) in compensation

  7. Beowulf on Twitter • How would Beowulf react to the arrival? • Complete at least 1 tweet for “The Coming of Beowulf” • Don’t forget the symbol and the followers!

  8. Epic Elements • Most epics are serious in tone and lofty in style, a technique meant to convey the importance of the events. Long speeches by the characters suggest an impressive formality. • Use of kennings

  9. Kennings • A kenning is a poetic renaming for a simpler, more concrete noun; for example, storm of swords is a kenning for • Examples of modern day kenning: gas guzzler Battle SUV/ Old Cars

  10. Kennings

  11. “The Battle with Grendel” Page 48

  12. Summarize • —in your own words, define a kenning and an appositive phrase. Give an example of each—turn in before you leave

  13. Themes • Good vs. Evil • Forces of darkness—irrational and menacing—are always at work in society • Life is a continuing struggle • Actions speak louder than words • Judge the greatness of a human by the greatness of his deeds and noble ancestry • Help thy neighbor • To be loyal is to selflessly make sacrifices for a loved one.

  14. Conflict Christian Values and Heroic Values • This tension is at the heart of the poem • Pagan history and myth are made to point to a Christian moral • Beowulf is poised between two value systems

  15. Mix of pagan and Christian Values • Fate vs. choice of good and evil • Mythological monsters vs. references to God and Jesus

  16. An Epic reflects the values of the culture that produced it. Complete this chart and draw a conclusion about Anglo-Saxon tastes and values. Anglo Saxons had a _________________ culture. What details reveal the importance of pagan warrior values in Beowulf such as a belief in fate, a taste of boasting, a pride in loyalty, and a desire for fame?

  17. Extra Credit Assignment Peer Evaluation: After watching the presentations, answer the following question: Why are epics used to preserve values and traditions?

  18. Epic Hero Cycle

More Related