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Beowulf

Beowulf. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB83Ke0&feature=related. Essential Question. How does Beowulf illustrate the characteristics of an Epic?. The Poem. Beowulf is an Epic Poem Written in Old English Many versions Poems Books Graphic Novels/Comic Books Movies

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf

  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB83Ke0&feature=related

  3. Essential Question • How does Beowulf illustrate the characteristics of an Epic?

  4. The Poem • Beowulf is an Epic Poem • Written in Old English • Many versions • Poems • Books • Graphic Novels/Comic Books • Movies • Author Unknown • Passed on through storytelling for centuries until finally written down

  5. Dates • Thought to have been composed between 700 and 850 CE • Passed down through Oral Tradition • Finally written down around 1000 CE • Based on real events • Documents have been found that talk about Hygelac, Beowulf’s lord, dying in 521 AD

  6. Versions • Because this story existed for so long before being written down, there is no “true” version

  7. What is an Epic? • 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, beautiful language. • Beowulf was originally a poem, but has morphed into other forms of literature.

  8. Other Characteristics of Epics • Usually have supernatural beings – monsters, gods, angels. • Grand scale: 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. • Epics were told orally to remember historical events – which are usually exaggerated.

  9. Other Epics • The Aeneid – about the beginnings of Rome and Italy • The Odyssey – about the beginnings of Greece • Paradise Lost – about Humanity’s struggle against Satan • The Iliad – about the Trojan War • The Death of Hector comes from The Iliad – so you’ve already read an Epic!

  10. Story • Beowulf was a popular story in England, but the events actually take place in two countries near England: Sweden and Denmark. • The story was told and written by Anglo-Saxons, who tell the story through the lens of their own values: • Treasure • Glory

  11. Books I and II • Book 1: Beowulf comes from Sweden to Denmark, where he has heard about a monster who terrorizes and murders people. Wanting Glory, he comes to kill the monster. • Book 2: Still in Denmark, more monster trouble.

  12. Book III • 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.

  13. Beowulf the Character • 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. • He also wants to earn a lot of Treasure, which he plans to take with him to the afterlife when he dies. • He believes that having Glory and Treasure will make him Immortal.

  14. Old English • Remember Canterbury Tales? (Yes, you do.) • Chaucer wrote in Middle English in the 14th Century • Beowulf was originally written down in the 11th Century, when English was still what we consider Old English

  15. Old English vs. Middle 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

  16. History of English • Britain is made up of four countries: • England • Scotland • Ireland • Wales • Before the 5th century, the dominant language and culture in Britain was Celtic

  17. History • In the 5th Century, invaders from Germany called Anglo-Saxons conquered England

  18. History of English • The Anglo-Saxons took over what we know as England, which was pronounced “Angle-land,” and Whales • Scotland and Ireland remained Celtic • 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

  19. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Praised Glory and Treasure, because they thought that this was the way to Immortality. • Activity: Anglo-Saxon WebQuest • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/

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