Beowulf

Tuesday, September 2nd
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 5

This lesson contains 21 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 2 videos.

time-iconLesson duration is: 70 min

Items in this lesson

Tuesday, September 2nd

Slide 1 - Slide

Programme
- CE 2024-I: Discuss texts 1 - 3
- Literature: Beowulf
- Writing practice: finishing up practice essay #1

Slide 2 - Slide

CE VWO 2024-I
Let's discuss texts 1 - 3

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. 1. Niet 2. Niet 3. Wel 4. Niet 5. Niet 6. Wel
  5. C

Slide 3 - Slide

Beowulf

  • Read page 5 and the first 2 paragraphs of page 6

Slide 4 - Slide

Why is Beowulf probably older than the late 10th century, do you think?

Slide 5 - Open question

Anglo-saxon kingdoms

Slide 6 - Slide

Slide 7 - Video

Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum,
þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.
Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum,
monegum mægþum, meodosetla ofteah,
egsode eorlas. Syððan ærest wearð
feasceaft funden, he þæs frofre gebad,
weox under wolcnum, weorðmyndum þah,
oðþæt him æghwylc þara ymbsittendra
ofer hronrade hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan. þæt wæs god cyning!

Listen! We of the Spear-Danes in the days of yore, of those clan-kings, heard of their glory,
how those nobles performed courageous deeds.
Often Scyld, Scef's son, from enemy hosts
from many peoples seized mead-benches;
and terrorised the fearsome Heruli after first he was found helpless and destitute, he then knew recompense for that,
he waxed under the clouds, throve in honours,
until to him each of the bordering tribes
beyond the whale-road had to submit,
and yield tribute. That was a good king!

Slide 8 - Slide

Alliteration (alliteratie)

Slide 9 - Slide

Slide 10 - Video

What examples of alliteration do you see on page 6?

Slide 11 - Open question

Riddles
The Anglo-Saxons loved riddles. They told each other riddles as well as listening to poems at their feasts. Some of the riddles were written down, so we are able to read them today.

Slide 12 - Slide

Riddle #1
Four dilly-dandies (teats on the udder)
Four stick standies (legs)
Two crookers (horns)
Two lookers (eyes)
And a wig wag (tail)

Slide 13 - Slide

Now it's your turn: Riddle #2
When I am alive I do not speak
Anyone who wants to take me captive and cuts off my head
They bite my bare body
I do no harm to anyone unless they cut me first
Then I soon make them cry

Slide 14 - Slide

Answer: an onion

Slide 15 - Slide

Riddle #3: A creature and its home
My home is not quiet but I am not loud.
The lord has meant us to journey together.
I am faster than he and sometimes stronger,
But he keeps on going for longer.
Sometimes I rest but he runs on.
For as long as I am alive I live in him.
If we part from one another
It is I who will die.

Slide 16 - Slide

Answer: a fish in a river

Slide 17 - Slide

Riddle #4: There are lots of these in the story of Beowulf.


I am all on my own, wounded by iron weapons and scarred by swords.
I often see battle. I am tired of fighting.
I do not expect to be allowed to retire from warfare
Before I am completely done for.
At the wall of the city, I am knocked about and bitten again and again.
Hard edged things made by the blacksmith's hammer attack me.
Each time I wait for something worse.
I have never been able to find a doctor who could make me better
Or give me medicine made from herbs.
Instead the sword gashes all over me grow bigger day and night.

Slide 18 - Slide

Answer: a shield

Slide 19 - Slide

Writing practice
  • Finish your essay, if necessary.
  • Exchange your essay with your neighbour.
  • Write down 1 tip and 1 top, focus on structure.
  • Revise your own essay.
  • Hand it in through Magister Opdrachten.

Slide 20 - Slide

Remember
... to bring your Literature reader and CE 2024-I to class.
... to look for a book! (Deadline = Thursday)

Slide 21 - Slide