(Agree/Disagree) 1. Everyone Respects and Follows a Hero

British Legends

Beowulf Anticipation Guide

Answer the following questions in detail. Each response should have 2-3 sentences of explanation (6 points)

(agree/disagree) 1. Everyone respects and follows a hero

(agree/disagree) 2. People should not travel to foreign lands to help defend its inhabitants against any threats b/c it is not their affair.

(agree/disagree) 3. Monsters no longer exist in modern day.

Study Guide Questions (Not Graded but HIGHLY recommended)

Answer each of these questions fully and completely. They may be used on pop-quizzes or tests so make sure you take your time and answer each one.

The Wrath of Grendel (pg. 41-43)

Describe the “Powerful monster, living down in the darkness.” Speculate: Why does he only come out at night?
Identify a Biblical Allusion on page 42.
Terrorized by Grendel, Hrothgar and the followers face “Twelve winters of grief.” How does the length of the suffering increase the epic feeling of this tale?
What tactics did Hrothgar and his people try to relieve their suffering?
Why had Hrothgar and his people lost hope?

The Coming of Beowulf (pg. 43-48)

Who is Higlac? Why is this identification so important?
What are some motivating factors for Beowulf’s quick actions?
What good “omens” could Beowulf and his followers have run into to urge the voyage and adventure to continue?
How do word choice and other stylistic features of the watchman’s speech add a serious, epic tone to his question in lines 152-172? How could you shorten the question?
What information does Beowulf reveal about himself in his introduction?
What does Beowulf’s way of identifying himself suggest about the values of a warrior culture?
How do Beowulf’s boasts of great deeds and his announcement of his plan establish him as a hero?
What does Beowulf ask of Hrothgar?
What values and beliefs of warrior culture does Beowulf’s attitude toward death express?

The Battle with Grendel (pg. 48-51)

Why does Grendel come to the kingdom? Is he afraid of Beowulf?
What “human eyes” were watching Grendel’s “evil steps”?
How do the “renaming” of Grendel in line 325 emphasize the weighty significance of the battle that is about to begin?
Read the translator’s insight on page 49. Do you agree with his assessment of Grendel? Explain.
Describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel.

The Monster’s Lair

Describe the lair using details from the passage.

The Battle with Grendel’s Mother (pg. 52-55)

Who is “Edgetho’s brave son”? How else is he identified throughout the epic? Speculate: Why would the epic refer to him in so many different ways?
Why does Beowulf decide to kill Grendel’s Mother?
Where does Grendel’s mother live?
How does the setting of this battle add to its epic significance?
Read the Translator’s insight on page 53. How does the motivation for honor alone amplify the character of Beowulf?
Why does Beowulf toss aside his sword in the fight?
Why does Beowulf chop off Grendel’s head?
Why did the warriors at the top of the lake lose hope moments before Beowulf surfaced?
Read the “science connection” on page 55. What makes the Hrunting valuable property?
What does Beowulf do after slaying Grendel’s mother?

The Last Battle

What has changed about Beowulf?
Why does Beowulf feel the need to explain his use of sword and shield to fight the dragon?
What does Beowulf’s speech in lines 630-49 suggest to you about Anglo-Saxon values?
How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon?
Why does Wiglaf join the fight? Why doesn’t anyone else join them?
What does Wiglaf’s decision suggest about the way in which a legendary hero can inspire heroism in others?
How do Beowulf’s companions react when the dragon breathes flame on him?

The Spoils

What does Beowulf ask of Wiglaf?
In Beowulf’s death scene, what is shown about the importance in warrior culture of the commemoration of individuals after death?

The Farewell

What is Beowulf’s last request?

Beowulf PowerPoint Guide

ACT 1 (5 points): Define the following terms:

Monster: Villain:

What is the main difference between a monster and a villain?

Grendel is a ______because

ACT 2 (4 points): An acrostic poem is:

ACT 3 (2 points):

Beowulf’s duty

Act 4 (11 points): Beowulf Epic Hero Cycle

Element / Example
The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of super natural abilities or qualities
The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure)
“Crossing the Threshold” Moving from the known to the unknown
The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL
The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and companions
The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering
The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated
A resurrection
Achieving the goal or the “boon”
Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to the ordinary world
Applying the “boon”

ACT 5 (3 points):

Grendel fights without :
Beowulf decides to fight without:
Hand to hand combat is more rewarding because:
Theme: “Clash between equal and opposite forces” :

ACT 6 (13 points): Kennings can be defined as…

Kennings can come in 3 forms. Look at the examples in the chart below and write down the name or noun represented beside each example of a kenning.

Compound Words

/ Prepositional Phrases / Possessives
Sky-candle
Whale-road
Ring-giver
Gold-ringed
Battle dew
Sea stallion / Wolf of wounds
Winters of grief
Shepard of evil
Storm of swords
Guardian of the people
Path of the sea / Seabird’s bath
Ocean’s face
Heaven’s joy
Arrow’s storm
Water’s chain
Battle’s torch

Line 325 kenning
Two other kennings

(6 points) Consider carefully how you could creatively rename each of the following through the use of the kenning technique. Choose 3 to poetically rename on your own
1. a teacher6. police
2. a bus driver7. pop tarts
3. Firemen8. music
4. Television9. love
5. Meatloaf10. computer

Beowulf: Epic Elements and Cunning Kennings

The epic Beowulf is a long narrative poem that recounts the exploits of the legendary warrior Beowulf. Like other epic heroes, Beowulf represents good and earns glory by struggling against the forces of evil represented by several monstrous creatures. He represents the values of his nation, culture, and religion. Beowulf is a typical epic poem in its serious tone,elevated language, andkennings which portrays characters, action, and setting in terms larger and grander than life.

DIRECTIONS (3 points): Read each passage from Beowulf. Then list the characteristics of epic poetry represented in it.

1. So mankind’s enemy continued his crimes, / Killing as often as he could, coming / Alone,bloodthirsty and horrible. Though he lived / In Herot, when the night hid him, he never /Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious / Throne, protected by God—God, / Whose loveGrendel could not know. . . .

2. “Hail Hrothgar! / Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days / Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now Grendel’s / Name has echoed in our land: sailors / Have brought us stories of Herot, the best / Of all mead-halls, deserted and useless when the moon / Hangs in skies the sun had lit, / Light and life fleeing together. / My people have said, the wisest, most knowing / And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ / Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, / Have watched me rise from the darkness of war. . . .”

3. “Grant me, then, / Lord and protector of this noble place, / A single request! I have come so far, / O shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, / That this one favor you should not refuse me— / That I, alone and with the help of my men, / May purge all evil from this hall.”

Appositives & Appositive Phrases

In your own words, define appositive/appositive phrases:______

In the boxes below, write all the character traits of both Grendel and Beowulf.

Follow the directions for each question to create your own sentences using appositive phrases

1. Write a sentence describing Grendel while using an appositive phrase.

______

2. Write a sentence describing Beowulf while using an appositive phrase.

______

3. Write a sentence describing Grendel’s attack’s using an appositive phrase.

______

4. Write a sentence describing Beowulf’s attitude toward Grendel using an appositive phrase.

______

5. Write a sentence describing the fight between Grendel and Beowulf using an appositive phrase.

______

(10 points)

Follow Beowulf on Twitter!!! (40 points) EC (10 points)

You’re ongoing assignment is to create a physical (not a computer based) twitter@beowulf account. This does NOT mean you need to sign up for a twitter account! You are doing this on your own paper, as creatively as possible (see template attached). You are pretending that I am following you on twitter and when you turn in your assignment, you want me to have as much information as possible about Beowulf’s escapades.

Create a picture that represents Beowulf. You may draw a picture of Beowulf or you may choose a symbol to represent him. (8 points)
You must have at least 2 “tweets” per subtitle for a total of 16. (The last two sections are where Beowulf has died so you will assume that his successor, Wiglaf, has taken over his twitter account. Make sure you demonstrate a change in tone.) (16 points)
Each “tweet” must have about 15-30 words portraying of “events” or “Updates” (16 points)
This should NOT just be a retelling of events. This should include emotion, aftermath, etc. Things OUTSIDE the text. Ex. What makes him decide to go help the Danes? How does Beowulf respond to the death of Grendel? How does he feel as he enters the Beasts’ lair?
Each “tweet” should be in the vernacular; “text talk” is fine, but make sure you can tell me what it means if I run into a translation problem!
You must have a list of people who follow him. You must have at least 4, one can be me, one can be you; the others must be from the story. Be creative with this. (3 points)
You do NOT have to type your “tweets,” but you can if you so desire. If you hand write your tweets, they should be in PEN (blue or black) and should be written neatly, with the symbol or picture of Beowulf at the top.

*Extra credit opportunity:

Have a character respond to Beowulf. To receive credit, the character must respond at least 5 times. (10 points)
Illustrate at least 5 “tweets” (10 points)

Beowulf Picture / Represents Beowulf / 2 / 8 points
Evidence of time and thought / 2
Creativity / 2
Color / 1
Format / 1
2 tweets per subtitle / (completion) / 16 points
3-4 lines each / (completion / 16 points
Style / Creativity (slang, text talk etc) / 3 / 10 points
“outside text” / 4
Tone / 1
Represents character / 2
List of people / (Completion) / 5 points
Format / Neat & orderly (separated logically) / 3 / 5 points
Follows a sequence / 2
TPP 60
EXTRA CREDIT
Character Responses / Must have 5 to receive EC points; must be logical and sequential / 10 points
Illustrations / Must have 5 tweets illustrated; must be neat and orderly with evidence of both time and thought to receive credit / 10 points
Total EC Points 20

**You can download a template on my website!  Or you can create your own!

AFTER READING (6 points):

Go back and look at one of the themes we talked about earlier and describe in detail your opinion of the theme in relation to the story.

Do you think Beowulf’s deeds make him a good role model? Explain.

Identify one person who is inspired by Beowulf’s actions. Does this add to his heroic nature? Explain.

An Epic reflects the values of the culture that produced it. Complete this chart and draw a conclusion about Anglo-Saxon tastes and values (7 points).

Feature / Why is it pleasing? / What values are reflected?
Boastful speeches / Makes the hero seem superhuman
Great hero
Lots of action
Good Triumphs over evil

(3 points) Anglo Saxons had a ______culture. What details reveal the importance of pagan warrior values in Beowulf such as a belief in fate, a taste of boasting, a pride in loyalty, and a desire for fame?

Extra Credit Assignment:

Epics: Because epics have been used the world over to preserve values and traditions, they are a rich resource for exploring world cultures. Your extra credit assignment is to gather information on ONE of these epics and prepare and oral report of your findings for the class. You must fill in the chart below (on a separate sheet of paper) for the epic and must share it with the class to receive the 15 point extra credit coupon. It’s all or nothing. You must commit to the EC assignment by Friday. DO NOT BACK OUT.

Possible epic / Country of origin / Possible epic / Country of origin
Kalevala / Finland / Sundiata / Mali
Chanson de Roland / France / Volsunga Saga / Norway
Ramayana and Mahabharata / India / Maui / Polynesia
Orland Furioso / Italy / The Aeneid / Rome
Heike Monogatari / Japan / Poema del Cid / Spain
Epic I have chosen
Reason I chose this epic
Source of information for epic
Brief summary of epic in my own words
Most interesting thing I learned
Why are epics used to preserve values and traditions (your opinion)

The Once and Future King

Read pages 160-161 in your textbook and define the following terms (3 points)

Code of chivalry: Legend:Medieval romance:

The 10 commandments of the Code of Chivalry:

Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. (You should obey the church and follow its laws)
Thou shalt defend the Church.
Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. (Respect and defend weaknesses)
Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born. (Love your home country)
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. (Never back down from your enemy)
Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. (Always make war against those who do not defend the Church and show no mercy)
Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. (Perform all your duties according to the law of the land as long as they do not go against the laws of God)
Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. (Don’t lie or go back on your word)
Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. (Be generous and giving to everyone)
Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil. (do what is right and fight against what is evil.)

In one or two sentences summarize what you found in the clip in relation to the Code of Chivalry (2 points):

(18 points)Biography of King Arthur: An Introduction

Before Viewing:

What does it mean to embellish something? Why do we embellish stories?

During Viewing

How long ago was Arthur born?
Why does Merlin raise Arthur?
In what year did the Norman Conquests inspire the turning point and recording of the Arthurian tales?
What is Merlin and what is his fate?
Why is Arthur made king?
Why does Merlin try to dissuade Arthur from marrying Guinevere?
What does the cross-hilt of the sword represent to a knight?
Who gives Arthur his second sword?
What is Avalon?
What’s the name of Arthur’s second sword?
Why is the scabbard of this sword important?
Who is Mordred?
Who is Morgan le Fey?
Who will be the last to come to the round table?
What’s the name of Arthur’s kingdom?
Where does Arthur go to see the lady of the lake and to gethis wounds healed?
Who brings Lancelot to Arthur?
Who heals the dying knight?
On Lancelot’s trip away from Camelot, he defeats what enemy for King Pellas?
What does Lancelot see after defeating this enemy?
Who is Elaine and what happens to her?
What quest can only Galahad fulfill?
Who is the greatest knight?
Why doesn’t Galahad return to Camelot after seeing the Grail and Jesus?
Why did the story of the Grail emerge?
Who wrote the most complete version of the Arthurian legends?
Who tells Arthur about the Affair of Lancelot and Guinevere?
What is the punishment for adultery?
Where does Lancelot go after the battle at his castle?
Who takes over England in Arthur’s absence?
Who kills Arthur?
Who gets to keep Excalibur?
Where does Arthur go when he dies?
Who is the last knight of the Round Table living?

I Am Mordred: As you are reading this short novel INDEPENDENTLY, you must answer the essential questions below. Use the “things to think about” column to help guide your reading. Your answers must be FULLY DEVELOPED and show evidence of thought and effort. Your requirements are as follows:

Points Possible
Answers to all essential questions (Answers the EQ definitively including personal feelings and examples in several well formed sentences) / 6 (x6) points
Quality of EQ Answers (addresses personal feelings, uses examples outside the text, uses examples inside the text) / 12 points
Accuracy of Answer/Responses / 12 points
Total Points: 60

The good: Answer to EQ: Does a king or leader have the right to operate on a separate moral code than the people (ie: murdering babies to save a kingdom; lying to the public to prevent panic etc.)? NO! A king or leader is simply a person who has been elected or appointed to REPRESENT the people, not to terrorize them. Take Hitler for example. Hitler was a leader. The people trusted in his judgment and gave him the power to control not only the government, but the military, education, clubs, social events, and eventually even life itself. He created his own moral code and ignored society’s rules and expectations leading to the world’s bloodiest war and the deaths of millions of innocent people. King Arthur abused his power too. Killing even one baby was a mistake, but by killing 80 babies he made himself into a monster, and in a way added to his own destiny rather than escaping from it as he hoped. Arthur had no right to do this. He may have been the leader of his people, but his life is no more valuable than the many babies he felt the right to destroy.
The bad:Answer to EQ: Does a king or leader have the right to operate on a separate moral code than the people (ie: murdering babies to save a kingdom; lying to the public to prevent panic etc.)? No. that’s stupid. People should be the same.