The Essentials of Boasting…
Standards covered: Writing 1.2, 1.3, / Reading 2.1, 1.2
Boasting is a common feature of epic poetry. It allows the hero to recount his exploits, not for self praise, but to show that he has already won fame and intends to seek it again. This combination of boasting and fame was especially important to Anglo-Saxon heroes because their pagan religion offered no hope of reward in an afterlife; thus fame was the best prospect they had for immortality. Beowulf’s boasting fulfilled two objectives: it ensured his attainment of glory and it exalted his character enabling him to enter heaven. Two instances of Beowulf’s boasting are his plea to King Hrothgar to allow him to fight Grendel and his speech to Geatland in which he claims he is the only warrior brave enough to defeat the dragon.
Now, it is your turn. You are required to write a boastful speech in which you announce a talent or skill which you feel you are excellent at. The goal is to mimic the urgency and excessiveness of Beowulf’s speeches. You should refer to pages fifty-four and sixty-eight as examples of boasting. Make sure you follow the pattern of the epic; however, you may use modern day, contemporary language.The following are requirements for your boast:
1. You must also use the following literary elements in your boast: synecdoche, kenning, alliteration, and exaggeration. (15 points)
2. It should be 40 lines in length, centered and typed. (10 points)
3. Use of strong verbs to validate your skills. (5 points)
4. Creativity and Aesthetics: (10 points)
5. Conveys the urgency, excessiveness and "heroic code" of an Anglo-Saxon Warrior. (10 points)
Total Points- 50 points
The Essentials of Boasting…
Standards covered: Writing 1.2, 1.3, / Reading 2.1, 1.2
Boasting is a common feature of epic poetry. It allows the hero to recount his exploits, not for self praise, but to show that he has already won fame and intends to seek it again. This combination of boasting and fame was especially important to Anglo-Saxon heroes because their pagan religion offered no hope of reward in an afterlife; thus fame was the best prospect they had for immortality. Beowulf’s boasting fulfilled two objectives: it ensured his attainment of glory and it exalted his character enabling him to enter heaven. Two instances of Beowulf’s boasting are his plea to King Hrothgar to allow him to fight Grendel and his speech to Geatland in which he claims he is the only warrior brave enough to defeat the dragon.
Now, it is your turn. You are required to write a boastful speech in which you announce a talent or skill which you feel you are excellent at. The goal is to mimic the urgency and excessiveness of Beowulf’s speeches. You should refer to pages fifty-four and sixty-eight as examples of boasting. Make sure you follow the pattern of the epic; however, you may use modern day, contemporary language.The following are requirements for your boast:
1. You must also use the following literary elements in your boast: synecdoche, kenning, alliteration, and exaggeration. (15 points)
2. It should be 40 lines in length, centered and typed. (10 points)
3. Use of strong verbs to validate your skills. (5 points)
4. Creativity and Aesthetics: (10 points)
5. Conveys the urgency, excessiveness and "heroic code" of an Anglo-Saxon Warrior. (10 points)
Total Points- 50 points