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Beowulf. Epic Poetry (white index card). Definition- a long, narrative poem about the important events in the history or folklore of a culture told in an elevated style. Examples- The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, . Epic Hero.
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Epic Poetry (white index card) • Definition- a long, narrative poem about the important events in the history or folklore of a culture told in an elevated style. • Examples- The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf,
Epic Hero • Definition- Possesses traits that are highly valued by his or her society. Usually characterized by indirectcharacterization, or what he/she does or says during the narration of the poem. • As you read Beowulf, what traits are valued by the Geats that are not by Americans today?
Anglo-Saxon Population • Present day England was initially settled in the 4thcentury by three groups, the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons. These later were referred to as the Anglo-Saxons. • These settlers originated from Germany, Holland, and Denmark. • They created Englisc, the earliest form of the English language. Engliscis a forma- tionof other dominant Euro- peanlanguages such as German, Dutch, and Latin.
English Periods • Old English (ca. 449-1100) • Ex. Beowulf • Middle English (ca. 1100-1500) • Ex. Canterbury Tales • Modern English (ca. 1500- present) • Ex. Shakespeare
Christianity • They converted people to Christianity which is evidenced by the addition of Christian elements in the epic. • Monks transcribed Beowulf as well as the history of England.
R.I.P- Seamus Heaney • April 13, 1939- • August 30, 2013;
Riddle • I am male; add a letter and I become female. • Add another letter and I become male again. • Add three more letters and become female again. • What am I?
Invocation • Read the first paragraph of Beowulf, then listen to following song. • Lyrics to “Edubae” by Enya: • Amharc, mnáagobairlá 's mall san oích',Ceolannsiadarlaethageal, a bhí,Bealachfadaanonn 's anall a chóich'. • Look, women working by day and late at night,They sing of bright days that were,A long way back and forth forever.
In Media Res • Beginning the tale in the middle of the action. • We begin the tale with a prologue that explains the History of ScyldScefing, who was considered a great king. • His descendent, Hrothgar, built the great hall, Heorot, which was then attacked by the jealous monster Grendel.
Flashbacks • Beowulf tells his heroic actions in the form of flashback, proving that he is capable of conquering Grendel.
Point of Defeat/Resurrection • Just when we think Beowulf is gone forever, he triumphantly returns from the eerie lake of despair with the head of Grendel’s mother.
Journey’s End • Beowulf becomes king in Geatland.
Kenning • A literary device in which a poetic phrase substitutes for a noun. In the best kennings, one element of the phrase will create a striking, unexpected comparison. Often used in Anglo-Saxon poetry and especially in Beowulf, a kenning provides powerful imagery that would help the audience focus on the words of the scop or poet telling the story. A kenning also allow the scop some variety, so words don’t become overused. • Modern kennings • Gas guzzler • Headhunter • Rug rat • Land line • Eye candy • Cancer stick • Couch potato • Tramp stamp
Caesura • Is a pause or sudden break in a line of poetry • e.g.: The tide rises, the tide falls, The twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown The traveler hastens toward the town, And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Assonance • Repetition of vowel sounds without the repetition of consonants • e.g. “My words like silent rain drops fell” • ~from “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel
Consonance • The repetition of consonant sounds—similar to alliteration, but it is not limited to the first letters of words. • e.g., “…and high school girls with clear skin smiles…” • ~Janis Ian, “At Seventeen”
Identify Assonance, Consonance or Alliteration • A. Ghostly gables graced the haunted house. • B. Susan was mad because the candy fell into the sand. • C. “You slacker, get back to work.” “Don’t give me flack.” • D. The moon rose as soon as Ballou began to croon. • E. Singing teenagers clinging to the tires floated down the river.
Hyperbole • uses an exaggerated or extravagant statement to create a strong emotional response. As a figure of speech it is not intended to be taken literally. Hyperbole is frequently used for humor. • Her brain is the size of a pea. • He is older than the hills. • I will die if she asks me to dance. • I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. • I have told you a million times not to lie!
Foreshadowing • Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues to prepare readers for events to come. • As you read Beowulf, look for clues about how the tale will end. Pay close attention to speeches and descriptions that appear to suggest more than what they actually describe.
Dichotomy • Dichotomy means “opposites on the same spectrum” • Examples • Light/dark • Male/female • Good/evil • Beowulf/Grendel • Non Examples • Apples/oranges • BMW/Mercedes • School/fun
Deus ex machina • the improbable and unexpected introduction of a person or device to make things turn out right.
Comitatus • The basic idea that everyone protects the king at all costs even if it means a warrior giving up his own life. If a king is killed, the warriors must avenge the death of the king or they can no longer serve as warriors for the next king. It is an idea that coexists with the interlacing theme. You will see the comitatus theme throughout Beowulfand all Anglo-Saxon poetry.
Comitatus • Examples in diction: ring-giver, hearth-companion • Interlacing The Alfred Jewel http://booksandbiscuits.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/alfredjewel.gif • The Brooch http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/sdk13/ASObjects/KINGSTONreduc.JPG • The Ruthwell Cross https://www.msu.edu/~matheson/ruthwell.htm • The Belt Buckle from the Sutton Hoo treasures http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1281/642458789_cf9f3e5d03.jpg • The Helmet Reconstruction • http://images.suite101.com/768387_com_ashelmet.jpg • The torque (necklace) http://www.mysteriousworld.com/Content/Images/Journal/2003/Winter/Giants/Torque.jpg
Subject The subject of a sentence is who or what is responsible for the action in the sentence. Example: John ate seven hot dogs at the state fair. Ask yourself who or what is doing something in the sentence. John is the person who ate seven hot dogs, so he is the subject of this sentence. Verb The verb in a sentence is the action that the subject is taking. Example: John ate seven hot dogs at the state fair. You already know that John is the subject of this sentence, so ask yourself what John is doing. That’s the verb! John is eating, so ate is the verb in this sentence. Subjects & Verbs
Independent Practice Copy each of these sentences into your Reader/Writer Notebook. Underline the subject of the sentence and circle the verb. (Hint: You might find more than one subject and/or more than one verb) • Most of the time my family watches TV in separate rooms. • My friends and I ride our bikes, hike mountain trails, and swim at the lake during the summer. • I flew to Orlando, and I swam with the dolphins at Sea World.
Answer Key • Most of the time my family watches TV in separate rooms. • My friends and I ride our bikes, hike mountain trails, and swim at the lake during the summer. • I flew to Orlando, and I swam with the dolphins at Sea World.
Creative Writing Project Workshop • Revision #1- Subjects/Verbs • Do all of my sentences have at least one subject and one verb? • How can I improve the strength of the verbs in my short story? • Am I using the same subjects and verbs over and over? If so, how can I diversify my subjects and verbs?
Creative Writing Project Workshop • Revision #2- Details • Do all of my details make sense and are necessary to the controlling idea of my story? • How can I improve the focus of my story by deleting or adding details? • Am I using details to enhance my story or to take up space? Are my details interesting? Do they include figurative language found in Anglo Saxon poetry?
Creative Writing Project Workshop • Revision #3- Modifiers • Do my sentences contain modifiers such as adjectives and adverbs? • How can I improve the strength of my sentences by adding interesting modifiers in my short story? • Am I using the same modifiers over and over? If so, how can I diversify?
