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Eng Lit, LAP 1, Day 1. Go over syllabus and assignments—introduce class. Introduce Beowulf —historical background information. Homework. Get your syllabus signed Read Beowulf pages 30-44
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Eng Lit, LAP 1, Day 1 • Go over syllabus and assignments—introduce class. • Introduce Beowulf—historical background information.
Homework • Get your syllabus signed • Read Beowulf pages 30-44 • Journal: 200 words minimum (including word count). Use the questions on page 44 as a starting point. This one will be turned in next class. • Open Labs: • Lit Terms open lab is due J day. • Vocab Lesson 7 work is due J day; quiz is due K day.
Why English Literature? • Maps
Anglo-Saxon Period • P. 18 • Lasted from 449 B.C.-1065 A.D. • Not much known before the Roman invasion by Julius Caesar in 55 B.C. • Around 449 B.C. people from around Germany (the Angles, the Saxons, and other groups) invaded Britain. • Christianity became more common • Language evolved • Beowulf was a product of this time period.
Beowulf • P.30 • Epic poem– a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds. • Retold orally for generations– publically performed by poets. • Usually repeat certain words and phrases: • Stock epithets: adjectives that point out special traits of particular people or things. Ex. “Swift-footed Beowulf.” • Kennings: poetic synonyms; a descriptive phrase that substitutes in for a noun. Ex. “The Almighty enemy” is used to describe Grendel.
Beowulf • Takes place on Europe’s mainland among the Danes (from Denmark) and the Geats (from Sweden).
Beowulf • Beowulf is a Geat. He crosses over to help the Danes and later returns to Sweden to succeed his uncle Higlac as king of the Geats. • Don’t know if Beowulf was real– his uncle was, though. • Not yet Christian, but there are some references to it. • Entertainment often involved gathering in mead halls, where they feasted, drank mead, and listened to tales of heroes. • Originally written in Old English– see p. 31.
Places and people to know • Beowulf: hero– a Geat warrior • Hrothgar: King of the Danes (also called Healfdane’s son) • Herot: Hrothgar’s mead hall • Higlac: Beowulf’s uncle (a Geat king) • Grendel: a demon monster who invades Herot.