VOCABULARY TBK

Affliction (n): cause of pain or distress

Cowering (adj): cringing or jumping in fear

Fetter (n): a shackle or chain; restraint

Gorge (v): to stuff with food

Infamous (adj): having a bad reputation; notorious

Lament (n): a cry, expression of grief you can hear

Livid (adj): discolored; black and blue

Loathsome (adj): hateful

Murky (adj): cloudy, gloomy

Pilgrimage (n): a journey to a sacred place

Purge (v): to cleanse or purify

Relish (v): to enjoy something intensely

Talon (n): a claw

Taut (adj): puled tight

Writhing (adj): twisting and turning in pain

TOP 3 EPIC +1 REASONS WHY WE READ BEOWULF TODAY

1. It is a window to our past: not only does the

poem help us see differences between the past and the present, BUT it also helps us see similarities and make connections between the past and the present (mind=blown)

2. Speaking of connections…Beowulf deals with timeless themes and universal values. In fiction, the heroes and monsters of yesterday inspire the heroes and monster of today. In reality, the heroes and monsters of yesterday reflect and resemble the heroes and monster of today

3. Plain and simple: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as it is the oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon literary work and the foundation of modern literature (true story).

4. Your reason:

GUIDING QUESTIONS 1. What traits does an Anglo-Saxon hero have? 2. How do the qualities of the epic hero

compare to modern heroes? 3. What can we learn about Anglo-Saxon

culture through the literature? 4. What poetic elements are evident in

Beowulf? 5. How has the definition of courage changed

over time? 6. What are the differences between paganism

and Christianity? 7. Do we need heroes? Explain. 8. Do we need monsters? Explain.

BEOWULF IN A NUTSHELL

This is the epic story of a Scandinavian warrior, a Geat named Beowulf, son of Edgetho, a man courageous beyond comparison and with the strength of ten thanes. Beowulf travels to the distant kingdom of the Danes in order to rid King Hrothgar’s mead hall, Herot, of the great evil invader, the sin-stained demon Grendel.

Will Beowulf succeed? Will something or someone stand in his way? Will Beowulf prove that he is an epic hero?

Read and find out…

2013 A.D. 0 A.D. 1000 A.D. 500 A.D. 1500 A.D.

510-580: action of Beowulf takes place

1000: Beowulf written down by unnamed monks

1590-1616: Shakespeare composes

We are reading Beowulf

The  Geats  The  Scandinavian  warriors  

from  "Geatland,"  in  Southwestern  Sweden.  Beowulf  is  a  Geat.  

The  Danes  The  tribe  which  Hrothgar  belongs  to;  also  called  the  

Scyldings  

FAQ Beowulf is an epic poem.

The poem was sang by travelling poets called scops.

It was originally written in Old English. The author (or authors) is unknown.

The surviving version of Beowulf was probably written down around 1000 AD

during the Anglo-Saxon period. It has both pagan and Christian

allusions/elements.

LITERARY DEVICES TBK Alliteration: repetition of sound at the beginning of words Kenning:  a descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun (battle-sweat = blood) (battle-gear…) Epithet: an adjective or short phrase used to describe a person, place or thing (God is variously described as “the Lord of all Life,” “the Ruler of glory,” and “our eternal Lord.”)

THE CHARACTERS

IMPORTANT TERMS TBK Mead Hall: a place of gathering for the Anglo-Saxon king and those loyal to him Herot: King Hrothgar’s magnificent mead hall in Beowulf Naegling: Beowulf’s sword, it breaks during the fight with the dragon Hrunting: the sword that Unferth lends to Beowulf to fight Grendel's mother The Golden Torque: rings of gold worn around the neck; given to Beowulf by Hrothgar and Wealtheow as a sign of friendship between the Geats and Danes Thane: an Anglo-Saxon warrior, knight Comitatus: honor code between king and his thanes Wyrd: the Anglo-Saxon concept of fate

Beowulf fits the definition of an ideal hero in the Anglo-Saxon society

• Male, of noble birth • Superhuman strength • Courageous beyond comparison • Loyal to his king and thanes • Takes initiative (is a do-er, not a

wait-er) • Boastful, not humble

o Seeks fame