Beowulf

1. Beowulf Day 4

2. Standards Objectives Students will be able to… compare and contrast identify and utilize read and respond analyze describe and predict • 2.0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials) Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced. 2.4 Make warranted and reasonable assertions about the author's arguments by using elements of the text to defend and clarify interpretations. 2.5 Analyze an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject. • Writing 3.6 Analyze the way in which authors through the centuries have used archetypes drawn from myth and tradition in literature, film, political speeches, and religious writings (e.g., how the archetypes of banishment from an ideal world may be used to interpret Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth).3.7 Analyze recognized works of world literature from a variety of authors:a. Contrast the major literary forms, techniques, and characteristics of the major literary periods (e.g., Homeric Greece, medieval, romantic, neoclassic, modern).b. Relate literary works and authors to the major themes and issues of their eras.c. Evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, and settings.

3. Reading Check • Discuss and/or summarize the last reading with a partner. Make sure you are both on the same page as to what you understand from the reading. • The Battle with Grendel • The Monster’s Lair

4. Study Question Check 16. How do the “renamings” of Grendel in line 325 emphasize the weighty significance of the battle that is about to begin? 17.What advantage does Beowulf have in his fight with Grendel? 18. Which details from the description of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel add realism and which add epic grandness? 19. How does Beowulf’s battle with Grendel end? 20. What did Beowulf use to defeat Grendel? 21. Describe, ever so briefly, the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. 22. How do Beowulf’s men help him? 23. What does Beowulf get from Grendel that is proof he has defeated him? 24. Where does Grendel go to die? 25. How does Hrothgar describe where the two creatures have been seen and where they live? 26. How does this description appeal to the archetypal sites of fear we have discussed? 27. Who does Hrothgar say is their only help? 28. How does this declaration add to the establishment of the epic hero? 29. How will Beowulf be rewarded if he wins? 30. What does Beowulf agree to do?

5. Hero/Monster Projects • In your group briefly present your hero/monster project. When everyone has presented in your group, vote on who you think has the best overall project to be shared with the whole class. • Make sure that the winner not only has a good visual, but also a good epic description.

6. Critical Thinking • Identify the alliteration used throughout lines 285-302. • Identify how lines 285-302 achieve an effect of suspense.

7. Artifacts and Background • Page 46: Swedish Ridged Helmet • created in the 6th or 7th century, right about the time of the action in Beowulf. • thought to be from the pre-Viking era, the style remained the same. • What is missing from this artifact that we would expect to see on a Viking helmet? • What might the decorations have conveyed about the owner? • Page 49: Golden Horn • a Viking drinking horn fashioned from a cattle horn and decorated with metal. • used for drinking mead and beer, water was not always safe for drinking back then. • use of this horn required practice, as all the liquid would rush out at once and it was designed so that it could not be put down until it was empty. • What do the appearance and limitations of the horn suggest about Viking culture? • How do you think the Vikings would react to someone who was unable to use the horn properly?

8. Vocabulary Review • Latin root -sol- • Thinking back to the notes on the root -sol- answer the following questions • 1. Which character in the epic might receive a consolation prize? • 2. Which character is inconsolable?

9. Vocabulary Words • Important vocabulary words for Beowulf: • 1. reparation • 2. solace • 3. purge • 4. writhing • 5. massive • 6. loathsome • Definitions on page 37 of text. • Assignment: In your group, prepare to teach your assigned vocabulary word to the class.

10. Grammar and Style • Appositives and Appositive Phrases • An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. • An appositive phrase is an appositive with modifiers. • Examples: • Appositive: Higlac’s follower, Beowulf. • Appositive phrase: Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and strongest of the Geats. • If an appositive is necessary to identify who or what is being spoken about, it is not set off with commas. • If an appositive is not essential to the menaing of the sentence, it should be set off with commas. • Appositive phrases are a key element of epic style, in which naming and renaming things and people is an important poetic act.

11. Grammar and Style Practice • Page 62 of textbook, numbers 1-5 • Writing Application

12. Part 3: The Battle with Grendel’s Mother • 31. What does Beowulf ask of Hrothgar in the beginning of this section? • 32. Briefly describe the setting of this section. • 33. How does the setting of this battle add to it’s epic significance? • 34. Why does Beowulf toss aside his sword in the fight? • 35. What does Beowulf do after slaying Grendel’s mother? • 36. What is Hrunting? • 37. What failed Beowulf for the first time in this section? • 38. What two things saved Beowulf in the battle against Grendel’s mother, according to the poet? • 39. What is special about the sword that Beowulf finds in the lair and how does it add to Beowulf’s epic hero status? • 40. While Beowulf was down in the lair fighting, what did the Danes do and what did Beowulf’s men do?