Beowulf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB83Ke0&feature=related

Essential Question

How does Beowulf illustrate the characteristics of an Epic?

The Poem

Beowulf is an Epic Poem Written in Old English Many versions

Poems Books Graphic Novels/Comic Books Movies

Author Unknown Passed on through storytelling for

centuries until finally written down

Dates

Thought to have been composed between 700 and 850 CE

Passed down through Oral Tradition Finally written down around 1000 CE Based on real events

Documents have been found that talk about Hygelac, Beowulf’s lord, dying in 521 AD

Versions

Because this story existed for so long before being written down, there is no “true” version

What is an Epic?

An Epic is a long story about an important event for a culture or country. Often the beginnings of a culture or country

An Epic has at least one major Hero. Epic Hero: Determines the Fate of a culture

or nation, often in battle. An Epic is usually written as a long poem

in complicated, beautiful language. Beowulf was originally a poem, but has

morphed into other forms of literature.

Other Characteristics of Epics Usually have supernatural beings –

monsters, gods, angels. Grand scale: The fate of a nation or culture

hangs in the balance. The Epic Hero is a person of great national

importance. Involves extraordinary deeds in battle OR a

long and dangerous journey. Epics were told orally to remember

historical events – which are usually exaggerated.

Other Epics

The Aeneid – about the beginnings of Rome and Italy

The Odyssey – about the beginnings of Greece

Paradise Lost – about Humanity’s struggle against Satan

The Iliad – about the Trojan War The Death of Hector comes from The

Iliad – so you’ve already read an Epic!

Story

Beowulf was a popular story in England, but the events actually take place in two countries near England: Sweden and Denmark.

The story was told and written by Anglo-Saxons, who tell the story through the lens of their own values: Treasure Glory

Books I and II

Book 1: Beowulf comes from Sweden to Denmark, where he has heard about a monster who terrorizes and murders people. Wanting Glory, he comes to kill the monster.

Book 2: Still in Denmark, more monster trouble.

Book III

Beowulf has returned to Geatland (in modern Sweden) and becomes King. 50 years pass.

A Dragon begins to terrorize Beowulf’s people, and he must save them from the Dragon.

Beowulf the Character

Beowulf is a warrior, and later King, of the Geats (Swedish)

Beowulf wants to make a name for himself as the Greatest Warrior.

He is eager to risk his life for Glory so that he will always be remembered and respected.

He also wants to earn a lot of Treasure, which he plans to take with him to the afterlife when he dies.

He believes that having Glory and Treasure will make him Immortal.

Old English

Remember Canterbury Tales? (Yes, you do.)

Chaucer wrote in Middle English in the 14th Century

Beowulf was originally written down in the 11th Century, when English was still what we consider Old English

Old English vs. Middle English

Canterbury Tales in Middle English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU

Beowulf in Old English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkK4_5DqLhk

How are they different? Modern German: http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=06hGUWazcSQ&feature=related

History of English

Britain is made up of four countries: England Scotland Ireland Wales

Before the 5th century, the dominant language and culture in Britain was Celtic

History

In the 5th Century, invaders from Germany called Anglo-Saxons conquered England

History of English

The Anglo-Saxons took over what we know as England, which was pronounced “Angle-land,” and Whales

Scotland and Ireland remained Celtic Anglo-Saxons brought their

language, which was a version of German – “Angle-ish”

We refer to this language today as Old English, because it was the beginnings of our language

Anglo-Saxon Culture

Praised Glory and Treasure, because they thought that this was the way to Immortality.

Activity: Anglo-Saxon WebQuest

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/