Month: November 2020

Comp>

He orders them to make him a shield for protection.

The illustrations portray him to be about twice as tall as his men.

He also calls the dragon Worm.

He will either return with the treasure or he will die.

It ends with the dragon and Beowulf face to face. The outcome is not determined.

Beowulf decides he must battle a dragon that is guarding a great treasure. He boasts of his previous battles and is confident that he can defeat the dragon. He asks his men to make him a shield. He takes 11 men with him but he leaves them to wait for him as he battles the dragon alone. He tells his men that he will return with the treasure or he will die. The dragon comes forward to face Beowulf.

Research to Exp>

Possible research questions: Is there any significance to the markings on Beowulf’s armor? What was the culture like for the Geats? What is the significance of the character that had his wrists bound?

Assignment

No answer. Requires working with a partner, using outside resources for research, and a presentation.

Choose Your Top>

No answer, choose topic for research.

Conduct Research

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No answer. Evaluate with partner.

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No answer. Evaluate with partner.

No answer. Evaluate with partner.

Prep>

No answer. Practice presentation.

Evaluate Presentations

No answer. Analyze classmate’s presentation.

Assignment

No answer, Essay requiring outside resources

Vocabulary and Conventions Connection

No answer, Requires information from essay assignment.

Reflect On Your Writing

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No answer, requires information from essay assignment.

Read It

Grendel, creature – apposition

engaged, fought, emerged – diazeugma

Herot, banquet hall, of King Hrothgar – apposition

Connect to Style

Across the sea, Geaton – ap>does battle, survives, goes home, bearing love – diazeugma, used to establish a sequence.

Write It

Grendel’s mother, a monster beneath the sea, (ap>
Just before his death, Beowulf removed his golden necklace, took off is helmet and other protective gear, and ordered Wiglaf to use it. (diazeugma)

… his death, Beowulf, the hero from Geat, (ap>
(For diazeugma, please see Exercise 1)

Why These Words

All of these words have a negative connotation. The bring forth feelings of something dark and sinister.

Evil, miserable, bloodthirsty, fiends, savagely, tearing, sickening, murderous, slaughter

Practice

A monster, bear, or other scary creature.

I think of a large beast eating very sloppy, tearing into their food quickly, and eating large chunks at a time.

You might stalk someone if you want to find out more about them or their habits. This may be a situation where you didn’t want the other party to know you are interested in what they are doing.

I would not. The word gruesome makes me think of something bloody and violent. I do not like seeing things like that.

Grendel is loathsome. He kills people simply for his own pleasure with no regard to their value as people.

The word writhing makes me think of an animal caught or stuck and not able to get free. I would want to help that animal.

Word Study

Gruesome can be defined as causing one to shudder. Loathsome means causing one to hate.

No answer, college dictionary required for research.

Practice

Beowulf is strong and brave. Both of these are characteristics of a hero.Stanza 705 demonstrates Beowulf’s humane side by showing him weakened and feeling defeated. He is not presented as incredibly strong any more. The text states, “a king, before, but now a beaten warrior.”

Beowulf’s character is believable. He has qualities that we revere such as strength , bravery, and leadership. He also shows faults when he becomes overconfident , seeks fame for himself, and yearns for the treasures that can be acquired by killing the dragon. Beowulf’s faults make him seem more human. A character without fault is not believable.

Beowulf battles three monsters. Each one seems to rep>Their battle was a fight between good and evil. Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother after she seeks revenge for her son’s defeat. Grendel’s mother is a character that represents revenge, something that can lead to evil acts. His battle with the dragon was different from both of the previous battles. Beowulf seemed more concerned with the wealth and treasure that he could get from defeating the dragon. This battle highlighted man’s greed.

The plot is set as three battles in which the hero is confronted with evil and finds a way to conquer it. Each battle with a monster creates the opportunity to highlight a moral battle.

Beowulf was set in Denmark. The first battle is in Heorot Hall. It is a festive and fun place that is quickly brought down by Grendel. The author created a great contrast between the lively existence the people had before and after the evil monster arrived.

Good defeats all forms of evil. It is shown in each of the three battles.

Analyze the Text 1

He goes to Herot to defeat Grendel.

Beowulf’s willingness to travel and battle Grendel indicates that he is a brave and honorable man.

Analyze the Text 2

The language used to describe the characters and their actions lead the reader to identify good with Beowulf. He is described as the “mighty protector of men.” Grendel is described as “That shepherd of evil.” When the author describes the end of the battle he clearly designates Beowulf as a representative of God. The text states, “Now he discovered-once the afflictor of men, tormentor of their days-what it meant to feud with Almighty God.”

Analyze the Text 4

There are references to religious beliefs throughout the text. Grendel is described as a “monster born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death.” Throughout the story he is compared to evil. Beowulf is portrayed as being blessed by God. The author discusses at length how the people of Herot could not be rid of the evil monster no matter how much they sought to appease the evil. The text states, “Let them beware, those who are thrust into danger, clutched at by trouble, yet can carry no solace in their hearts, cannot hope to be better! Hail to those who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies and seek our Father’s peace.” Beowulf was able to defeat the beast who bore, “God’s hatred.”

There are several pagan values portrayed within the text. There are a few references to fate. For instance, when Beowulf is gives his speech about laying down his sword and fighting with his hands, he ends it by saying, “Fate will unwind as it must!” Beowulf refers to fate again when he is saying goodbye to his soldiers. He sates, “I mean to stand, not run fro his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which of us wins.” He also displays a thirst for glory and fame This is discussed in the battle with Grendel’s mother. The text states, “Beowulf longed only for fame, leaped back into battle. The quality of loyalty is portrayed when Wiglaf comes to help Beowulf when he battles the dragon.

It interesting to see such a mix of christian and pagan beliefs being portrayed in this story. It makes me wonder if the fact that the story was passed on orally before being recorded is the reason it is written this way. Perhaps the story was added to and changed a little by the storytellers to reflect the storyteller’s beliefs.

Analyze the Text 5

The poem acts as documentation of the values and culture of that time. It depicts characters that are considered evil and and honors the hero that can conquer the evil by being blessed by God.

Analyze the Text 6

A hero is someone that acts for the good of others. This poem shows that the hero can be selfless and brave for others. But it also shows how that hero can become concerned with the fame and potential reward for the act that they engage in. Beowulf seemed to be selfless in his first battle, but then he became concerned with more extrinsic rewards. I think a true heroes acts on instinct with the intent to help others.

Analyze theText 3

Beowulf’s battles are all similar because he goes into battle willingly and he believes he is the only person that can defeat the beasts. He wins each of the three battles. Beowulf is happy to defend the people from the evil of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. These battles span many years and Beowulf’s engages in battle with the dragon as a much older man. There are several differences in the battle between Beowulf and Grendel and the battle between Beowulf and the dragon.When Beowulf hears about Grendel and his evil ways he is determined to help. His motivation was to save Herot’s people. His soldiers were there to help him. Beowulf went to battle with the dragon for a different reason. He did want to save the people, but he also was looking for fame and the dragon’s treasure. The text states, “Beowulf longed only for fame.” Before the battle begins between Beowulf and the dragon, his character states, “And this dragon’s treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine.” Once he wins the battle with Wexstan he tells him to build a tower in his name. He states “I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well.” Another difference between the battles can be found in the loyalty of his soldiers. His soldiers fought along with him in the first battle, but they did not fight with him in the other battles. Wexstan was the only one to come to Beowulf’s aid in the final battle against the dragon.

Comp>

Hrothgar is the Danish king. Grendel is an evil monster that likes to eat people.

He is from Geat. He goes to Herot because he heard stories about Grengar. He was told that it was his duty to protect Hrothgar.

Grendel’s entire arm from his shoulder to his claws was hanging from the rafter.

He fights Grendel’s mother in her home at the bottom of the lake. He cuts off her head and then he finds Grendel and cuts of his head.

Beowulf gets injured in the battle. One of his soldiers finished the battle and killed the dragon. Beowulf passed away soon after the battle.

A horrible monster named Grendel killed many of Hrothgar’s men. Beowulf heard tales of the men that were murdered in Hrothgar’s hall and he vowed to slay the monster. Beowulf traveled to the Dutch castle with his soldiers. They waited there for Grendel to come. Beowulf used his hands to defeat him. He tore off his arm at the shoulder and hung it up as a trophy of the battle. Grendel retreated to his home. Grendel’s mother comes for her son’s arm and kills Hrothgar’s friend. Beowulf decides that he will go after Grendel’s mother. He gathers his men and goes to the lake where Grendel and his mother live. He jumps in alone and sinks to the bottom of the lake. He battles her using his sword. He kills her and then finds Grendel and uses his sword to cut off his head. He returns to the surface of the lake with Grendel’s head. He takes it to King Hrothgar. Beowulf returns home and becomes king of Greats. Fifty years pass and then a dragon begins to cause trouble. Even though Beowulf is older he declares that he will battle the dragon. However, he is not able to do it alone. His soldier, Wextan, aids him in the battle and defeats the dragon. Wextan goes to the dragon’s lair and takes some of the treasure. Beowulf knows that he is going to dis from his injuries. He tells Wextan that he will be king and asks him to build a memorial. Beowulf was remembered as the greatest king and a hero.

Research to Clarify

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Research to Exp>

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Concep>

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Whole Class Learning Strategies

Paraphrase information.

Ask specific questions and take notes on the answer given.

Review information that was difficult to master.

Respect other’s ideas even if you don’t agree.

QuickWrite

No answer, writing prompt

Vocabulary

outsized/great

extraordinary/exceptional

risk/safe

challenge/acceptance

response/react

calm/frantic

selflessness/selfish

legendary/fabulous