P2 - early Middle Ages + Beowulf

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

English Literature

PTA exam this period: The Middle Ages 

• Beowulf
• Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
• Riddles
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Robin Hood
• Canterbury Tales

Today's objective

• You are familiar with the historical context of the early Middle Ages in Great Britain.

If you were given an opportunity to travel back in time, would you go back to Middle Ages?
Why (not)?

What do BC and AD stand for? 

BC 

''Before Christ''

AD

Anno Domini 

''in the year of our Lord''

BCE 

'Before Common Era''

CE 

''Common Era''

Alquin literature

Go to page 2 & 3 of the magazine

Make a timeline during the reading

Timeline (450-1066)

• 55 BC - 450 AD: Great Britain under Roman rule

• After 450 AD: Celts attack, Romans withdraw --> Migration of the people --> Anglo-Saxon settlers

• 7th century turn to Christianity --> increase Latin & Old English literature --> 793 Vikings attack --> Viking settlers

•  8th-11th century Wars for the crown --> 1066 end of Anglo-Saxon era and beginning of Norman period

English Literature

PTA exam in VWO 6
This year: The Middle Ages (period 4)

• Beowulf
• Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Robin Hood
• Canterbury Tales

Beowulf

Read from Alquin

Page 7-8

The most famous work ... - 

... on an enormous pyre.

Seven kingdoms

• In the Anglo Saxon period, society was dominated by lords and retainers, as depicted in Beowulf.
• Poets provided entertainment by reciting well-known poems from memory.

Beowulf

• Heroic epic poem (3,182 lines).
• Oldest European text in vernacular language (Old English).
• Dates from the 6th century(?)
• Oldest copy is a manuscript from the late 10th century (British Museum) by an anonymous monk.
• Lines aren't linked by rhyme, but alliteration.
• Setting is Scandinavia.

Hwæt! Wé Gárdena in géatdagum,

þéodcyninga þrym gefrúnon·

hú ðá æþelingas ellen fremedon.

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.

Read from Alquin

Page 8-9

The arrival of Grendel at the king's hall, where everyone, including the guard is fast asleep.

1

 The poem is set in a period where Christianity had yet to become established all across Western Europe. Nevertheless, there are many references to God in the poem.

Can you suggest why this might be?

2

At the start of the first quoted passage, Grendel is introduced as a bloodthirsty monster. Give a number of examples from which his nature is appararent.

3

a. In the second passage, Wiglaf lists various valuables that Beowulf has given to his retainers. Why does he do so?

b. Explain Wiglaf's first sentence in your own words.

c. What does Wiglaf accuse the retainers of? Why is this such a serious accusation?

d. What will happen to Beowulf's retainers now, and why?

4

a. Why do you suppose Heaney translated Beowulf in verse form? What are the pros and cons of such an approach?

b. Why do you suppose Swanton translated Beowulf in prose form? What are the pros and cons of such an approach?

c. Compare the two translations. Which do you prefer and why?

Write three things that you have learned.

Write two things that you would like to know more about.

Write down one question that you stilll have.