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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB83Ke0&feature=related. Movie Trailer. How do the qualities we value in a hero reflect our cultural values?. Essential Question. Beowulf is an Epic Poem, that was written in Old English Many versions exist: Poems Books Graphic Novels/Comic Books
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB83Ke0&feature=related Movie Trailer
How do the qualities we value in a hero reflect our cultural values? Essential Question
Beowulf is an Epic Poem, that was written in Old English • Many versions exist: • Poems • Books • Graphic Novels/Comic Books • Movies • Passed on through storytelling for centuries until finally written down (just like The Iliad) The Poem
Because this story existed for so long before being written down, there is no “true” version. Versions
Thought to have been composed between 700 and 850 AD • Finally written down around 1000 AD • Based on real events • Documents have been found that talk about Hygelac, Beowulf’s king and Uncle, dying in 521 AD Dates
An Epic is a long story about an important event for a culture or country. • Often the beginnings of a culture or country • An Epic has at least one major Hero. • Epic Hero: Determines the Fate of a culture or nation, often in battle. • An Epic is usually written as a long poem in complicated language. • Beowulf was originally a poem, but has morphed into other forms of literature. What is an Epic?
Usually have supernatural beings – monsters, gods, angels. • The fate of a nation or culture hangs in the balance. • The Epic Hero is a person of great national importance. • Involves extraordinary deeds in battle OR a long and dangerous journey. (Think of Achilles) • Epics were told orally to remember historical events – which are usually exaggerated. Other Characteristics of Epics
Takes a journey Supernatural strength and powers Male Handsome Fights for glory and treasure/prizes Wants their name to be remembered forever Like a superhero Sometimes has a sidekick Supreme ethical standards Epic Hero Characteristics Review
The Aeneid – about the beginnings of Rome and Italy • The Odyssey – about the beginnings of Greece • The Iliad – about the Trojan War Other Epics
Beowulf was a popular story in England, but the events actually take place in two countries near England: Sweden and Denmark around 500 A.D. • The story was passed down by Anglo-Saxons or Pagans. Pagans worshipped many gods. The Pagans told the story through the lens of their own values: • Treasure Anglo-Saxons buried their treasures in their graves, because they thought that they could take their treasures to the afterlife. • Glory Story
Book 1: Beowulf comes from Sweden or Geatland to Denmark, where he has heard about a monster who terrorizes and murders people in a mead-hall. Wanting Glory, he comes to kill the monster. • Book 2: Still in Denmark, more monster trouble. Books I and II
Beowulf has returned to Geatland (in modern Sweden) and becomes King. 50 years pass A Dragon begins to terrorize Beowulf’s people, and he must save them from the Dragon. Book III
Beowulf is a warrior, and later King of the Geats (Swedish) • Beowulf wants to make a name for himself as the Greatest Warrior. • He is eager to risk his life for Glory so that he will always be remembered and respected. (Just like Achilles) • He believes that having Glory and Treasure will make him Immortal. • Referred to as Hygelac’s follower in Book I
King of the Danes Father figure to Beowulf A model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes King Hrothgar
Grendel kills King Hrothgar’s warriors in the mead-hall, Heorot Grendel’s mother is a swamp creature who seeks revenge Grendel-The Monster
Strong serpent Guards a treasure Beowulf’s fight with the dragon is the third and final part of the epic The Dragon
Read pages 18, 19, 20 in your textbook In your book
What could the name Beowulf mean? • Why does Beowulf travel across the sea to Denmark? • How many lines is the poem, Beowulf? • Who do we think may have written Beowulf? • What two things must an epic hero posses? • List two people who may be seen as a hero in today’s society. Explain why they are heroes. Pages 18, 19, 20
Story takes place in the 500 A.D. The Anglo-Saxons were migrating to England and people were starting to convert to Christianity. Before we start reading Beowulf…
It’s quite possible that religion did not originally play a role in the poem Since we believe a monk may have written the poem, Christian elements may have been added as Christianity spread For example, the great warrior Beowulf could symbolize Christianity or good. Grendel, the demonic monster, could symbolize an opposing religion or evil. Religion in Beowulf
Biblical story from the book of Genesis about two brothers The brothers are the sons of Adam and Eve Cain becomes envious of Abel and kills him Cain became the first murderer and was cursed by God for his crime According to legend, Cain’s descendants were all evil beings: monsters, demons, and evil spirits Grendel (and his mother) represents an offspring of one of the descendants of Cain Cain and Abel
How many years has Grendel been attacking the mead hall, Herot? Why were weapons ineffective when others tried to fight Grendel? Why did Beowulf hang Grendel’s arm from the rafters? Who is “Higlac’s brave follower?” What is the one thing that could destroy the mead hall, Herot? Beowulf is a Geat and takes a journey to fight Grendel. What country does King Hrothgar rule? Graphic Novel: Three details about Grendel’s physical appearance.
In the 5th Century, invaders from Germany called Anglo-Saxons or Pagans conquered England History
The Anglo-Saxons took over what we know as England, which was pronounced “Angle-land,” and Whales Anglo-Saxons brought their language, which was a version of German – “Angle-ish” We refer to this language today as Old English, because it was the beginnings of our language History of English
Canterbury Tales in Middle English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU • Beowulf in Old English:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkK4_5DqLhk • How are they different? • Modern German: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06hGUWazcSQ&feature=related Old English vs. Middle English