Anglo-Saxon Literature: Background and Context
In an effort to divide and conquer the background information for Anglo-Saxon and medieval literature, we are going to split into groups, take notes, and post those notes to Edmodo for the class. I will divide you into groups to cover the material. As a group, you should read the material, post notes of the important ideas and concepts from the section (making sure to define any new terms), and be ready to present them to the class. You will reply to my post for this assignment to keep all the information together. The first line of your reply should be "Group [#] - Topic - pages in textbook." (Basically, you can copy the information below a the first line of your group's post.)
The group topics will be as follows:
The group topics will be as follows:
- Group 1: Historical Background: Old and Medieval England (pp. 4-5)
- Group 2: Essential Questions: Old and Medieval England (pp. 6-9)
- Group 3: Contemporary Commentary: England's Green, Fertile Land (pp. 15-16)
- Group 4: Defining the Epic (pp. 34-35)
- Group 5: Beowulf Critical Commentary (pp. 36-37)
- Group 6: Beowulf Introduction (pp. 38-39)
Anglo-Saxon Poetry: "The Seafarer," "The Wanderer," and "The Wife's Lament"
ASSIGNMENT
QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL WORK
The Seafarer (p. 25, Textbook Critical Reading Questions 1, 3, 5, & 7)
QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL WORK
The Seafarer (p. 25, Textbook Critical Reading Questions 1, 3, 5, & 7)
- Do you agree that "Fate is stronger/...than any man's mind"? Why or why not?
- a)What causes the speaker's heart to "begin to beat"? b) How can someone dislike something as much as the seafarer dislikes the sea and yet be drawn to it?
- What does the speaker mean when he says in lines 58-61 "And yet my heart wanders away, / My soul roams with the sea, .../.../...returning ravenous with desire, ...?" b) Is the speaker fully at home on land, on the sea, or in neither place? Explain.
- Can people find a way of life in which they are fully happy, or, like the seafarer, will they always have longings for another place? Explain.
- a) Who are the speakers in the poem? b) Analyze: What images does the poet use to convey his isolation and despair?
- Synthesize: According to the poem, how might the reflection on "the fates of men" lead to wisdom?
- Evaluate: Do you think dwelling on the sorrowful, painful side of life can give a person wisdom and a valuable perspective on life, or do you think it can be harmful? Explain.
- Do you think there is anything the speaker can do to remedy her situation? Why or why not?
- a) Why did the wife have to leave her home? Interpret: What do lines 25-26 suggest about her reaction to this event?
- Evaluate: Is the wife justified in her anger and sorrow? Explain.
Epic Poetry: Beowulf
Take Notes on the Background
As you read, "interrogate" the text. Make notes on the text itself using an app like Notability.
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The Epic Poem & The Epic Hero |
Complete Beowulf Presentation
- Please download the presentation assignment and begin working with your team.
- Group leaders should also complete the workday reports at the end of each project workday.
- Refer to the class calendar for specific project dates.
Beowulf Presentation Groups
"The Wrath of Grendel" and "The Coming of Beowulf"
(40-48) 5B:
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"The Battle with Grendel"
(49-51) 5B:
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"The Monster's Lair" and "The Battle with Grendel's Mother" (51-56)
5B:
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"The Last Battle"
(56-61) 5B:
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"The Spoils" and "The Farewell"
(61-64) 5B:
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Discuss Beowulf
Please download our discussion handout, complete it with your group, and then email it to me using the subject line: BlockBeowulfDiscussion. (Ex. 1ABeowulfDiscussion).
Please download our discussion handout, complete it with your group, and then email it to me using the subject line: BlockBeowulfDiscussion. (Ex. 1ABeowulfDiscussion).