Beowulf: The Boast*
We will soon read of the many exploits of Beowulf and the many brave thanes among the Danes, Geats, and Swedes. We will find that the Anglo-Saxons saw nothing wrong with letting the world know who they were, who their noble parents were, what great feats they had accomplished and what they planned to do. This boasting was perfectly polite, even expected. In Beowulf, see lines 250-285, 407-426, 632-638, and 2510-2515 for examples of the formal Anglo-Saxon boast.
Your assignment is to write a formal boast about yourself and perform it for the class. Tell us your deeds, who your daddy/mama are, what you plan to do, and how you're not gonna take nothing from nobody. Your accomplishments may be academic, athletic, musical, social, artistic, etc. Lay aside your humility! Remember, you'll soon be applying for college anyway, and may need to do a bit of boasting. (And it will give you even more practice for your Graduation Project-Whoot! Whoot!)
Guidelines:
Your boast must show your understanding of Anglo-Saxon poetry by following the Anglo-Saxon poetic format:
· At least two examples of an original kenning.
· A caesura in each mid-line
· Heavy alliteration in at least 5 lines
Furthermore, you will receive extra credit if you include:
· Four hard beats per line,
· And/or heavy alliteration in each line
Length: 10-15 lines (standard)
15-20 lines (honors)
*From Peter Bobbe at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, NC.
~See the back page for examples of boasts – both old (from Beowulf) and modern (from rap).
“We are kinsmen of the Geats' clan and are Hygelac's own hearth-fellows. My father was known to far-off folk: Ecgtheow was his name. A man of many winters, he departed as an aged man from the earth and is honored even today by sage men throughout the world's width. We come with good intent to your lord and liege, to Healfdene's son who protects his people. Be good and advise us! We come to the Danish lord with a great message, and, as I see it, nothing should remain hidden. Tell us if you know the truth about what we hear men say: that among the Scyldings a strange monster, doing black deeds in the dark of night, wreaks havoc and murder with unmatched rage and hatred. I would bring Hrothgar generous aid, that he who is wise and brave may best his foes—if ever there is to be an end to his ills and the fight that afflicts him, if a cure is to come, and the seethings of torment grow calm again—lest he suffer ever after in days of anguish and sore distress for as long as that majestic house rests high on its hill!”
Beowulf declared, [and] spoke words of boasting [for the] last
journey: "I ventured on many battles in [my] youth; it (battle) I will
seek [again as an] old guardian of [this] nation, to perform [one more]
glorious deed if the wicked ravenger from the earth's hall seeks me
out." [He] then addressed each [of the] men's valiant helmet-bearers
[for the] last [time], [the] dear retainers: "I won't bear a sword [or]
weapon against [the] serpent if [I] might otherwise grapple with that
monster, as I formerly did boast against Grendel......