Welcome Back Explorers.September 10, 2012

Enter the classroom quietly. Pick up your daily packet.Turn in your product proposal form to homework bin BEOnce the bell rings, you are NOT to leave your seat. You must be reading silently.

Daily Objectives

We will be able to… Determine the meaning of vocabulary

words as they are used in Beowulf. Study the historical and social contexts

of the Anglo-Saxon period of literature. Examine and convey the complex idea

of an archetypal hero.

Beowulf

• The first great work of English national literature.

• The mythical and literary record of a formative stage of English civilization.

• The epic story of the hero Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster Grendel.

Beowulf is

Beowulf written between 700-750Introducing the Epic

Beowulf

The epic tells of Beowulf (his name means bear), a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea of Denmark in a quest to rescue King Hrothgar’s people from the monster, Grendel.

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Beowulf: nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats.

Hrothgar: king of the Danes.

Wiglaf: a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon.

People

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake.

Monsters

Grendel’s mother: water-witch who seeks revenge.

Dragon: giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf fights in Part Two of the epic.

Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia.

Places

Scholars think Herot might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.

Scandinavia

Britain

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Places

Herot: the golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate.

BeowulfIntroducing the Epic

Derivation of Epic

The word “epic” itself comes from the Greek epos, originally meaning “word” but later meaning “oration” or “song.”

Epics typically emphasize heroic action as well as the struggle between the hero’s own ethos and his human failings or mortality.

Epics tend to have these characteristics:

The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a particular people or society.

The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead.

The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey or quest.

Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action.

The story is told in heightened language.

What is an epic poem?

Long narrative poem Talks about the great deeds of a

larger than life hero Embodies the culture/values of the

time and society Uses many literary devices

(repetition, sound effects, imagery, alliteration…)

Gods and goddesses often involved Mixes MYTH, LEGEND, and HISTORY

Beowulf as an Epic

The hero, Beowulf, is the title character, who represents the values of the heroic age, specifically the honor system that existed in Scandinavia in the 5th and 6th centuries between a king and his warriors, called thanes.

Thanes swore devotion to the king and vowed to fight to the death.

Thanes were then rewarded with treasure, protection, and land.

Courage, loyalty, and reputation were virtues of these warriors.

What is a hero?

Heroes are people who are bigger than life. They are the men and women of action, with great thoughts, nerves of steel and have made personal sacrifices to initiate change.

Heroes = models The definition of a hero is not just some

great general or statesman but also men and women who have influenced society, changed our views, sought to make the world a better place, entertained us or made us laugh and even, gave their lives for their ideals and their values.

In modern America, the hero may be a real person or a fictional character.

BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero

What is an epic hero?

Seems to have abilities of the gods, but subject to human failure

Always faces major obstaclesBoth inner and outer

Often an ARCHETYPE:ModelFamiliar to all places and timesExamples: a hero, an outcast, a

caregiver

Stop and Jot!

Take five minutes to answer the following: Please write about a contemporary hero,

real or fictional, and the challenges he/she faces. Describe your hero, and then analyze him/her using these questions: What sort of evil or oppression does your hero

confront? Why does he/she confront evil? What’s the

motivation? What virtues does your hero represent?

Epic Hero Archetype

The epic hero is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.

Beowulf is ancient England’s hero and he is also an ARCHETYPE, or a perfect example of an epic hero. Possesses superior physical strength High ethical standards Highest ideals of Anglo-Saxon

culture

The epic hero is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society.

An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.

An epic is sometimes called a heroic poem.

BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero

BeowulfLiterary Focus: The Epic Hero

Beowulf is one of ancient England’s heroes.

King Arthur

Joan of Arc

Other times and other cultures have had other heroes.

Group work

Join the people sitting next to you, and quietly work together to devise of list of archetypes with the following information

Archetypes

Name characters in books, movies, or TV programs that embody these characteristics: Wise and brave leader Loyal Companion Mysterious Stranger Villain who plots the downfall of a person Naïve young person seeking to become an adult

During this time: Place your binder and planner open on your desk so that I can come around and check them.

Exit Slip

Clear your desk of all materials. Complete the short exit slip for today. This is considered an assessment. You

are not to talk, leave your seat, or look through your notes.

Do your best. Reminders:

If you did not turn in your product proposal form today, you must bring it in tomorrow.

HW: Complete vocabulary activity one