Literature Reader Beowulf

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Beowulf

• Read page 7 and the first 2 paragraphs of page 8

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

Anglo-saxon kingdoms

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!

Alliteration (alliteratie)

What examples of alliteration do you see on page 8?

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.

Riddle #1

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

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

What do you think it is?

Answer: an onion

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.

What do you think it is?

Answer: a fish in a river

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.

What do you think it is?

Answer: a shield

Get to work!

• Read the translations in modern English on page 9

• Make groups of 2 or 3 students and answer the questions on page 10 in English.
• Hand in your answers through Magister Opdrachten (6V Nov. 24th/ 5V-fast lane English Nov. 18th)