Beowulf

1
Beowulf

• Day 4

2

• Objectives

• Standards

• 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 authorsa.
  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.

• Students will be able to
• compare and contrast
• identify and utilize
• read and respond
• analyze
• describe and predict

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 Monsters 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 Beowulfs 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 Beowulfs 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

1. Identify the alliteration used throughout lines
   285-302.
2. 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 Higlacs follower, Beowulf.
• Appositive phrase Beowulf, Higlacs 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 Grendels 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
  its epic significance?
• 34. Why does Beowulf toss aside his sword in the
  fight?
• 35. What does Beowulf do after slaying Grendels
  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 Grendels mother, according to the poet?
• 39. What is special about the sword that Beowulf
  finds in the lair and how does it add to
  Beowulfs epic hero status?
• 40. While Beowulf was down in the lair fighting,
  what did the Danes do and what did Beowulfs men
  do?