w4 Beowulf wrap-up and introduction to late middle ages and Sir Gawain

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

AIMS: 

1. Everyone has a clear overview of the Beowulf storyline. 

2. We find out more about the late Middle Ages 

First, I will ask a few of you to tell me what you wrote down about Beowulf. After this, I will give you an outline of the story and you can complete your own work. 

Watch the video and take notes. 
After the video, I will ask some of you what you wrote down. 

Who was the first king to speak English and what language was spoken before then?

1. Edward III; Danish
2. Edward III; French
3. William I; German
4. William I, French

What does Memento Mori mean and what does it say about life in the Middle Ages?

1. Remember the people who have died; you will see them in the afterlife
2. Remember that you will die; make the most of life while you can
3. Remember the people who have died; they will judge you
4. Remember that you will die; people should live a good life to avoid going to hell.

What was NOT a reason for people to join the crusades?

1. Thirst for adventure
2. Being absolved of all sins (so not going to hell)
3. Getting out of slavery
4. Religious conviction

Why did King Edward III claim to have the right to be king of France?

1. Because his mother's family came from France
2. Because his father's family came from France
3. Because he was born in France
4. Because he had been given France in exchange for money

What is the Magna Carta, when was it signed and by whom?

1. Document giving power to the nobles (thus taking it away from the King), 1215, John I
2. Document giving power to the nobles (thus taking it away from the King), 1315, John I
3. Document giving power to the nobles (thus taking it away from the King), 1215, William the Conqueror
4. Document giving power to the King (thus taking it away from the nobles), 1215, John I

Why did population growth in Europe stop in the 14th century?

1. Because of the invasions by the vikings
2. Because of wars
3. Because of the invention of birth control
4. Because of the Plague, spread by rats

What was the relation between the Bubonic Plague and the Peasant’s Revolt?

1. The peasants wanted compensation for what they had suffered through
2. The peasants wanted access to clean water and better food
3. The peasants wanted access to better healthcare
4. The peasants thought they could make demands because there weren't enough peasants left to do the work.

What literary device (literair verschijnsel) was introduced in the fourteenth century and has never really gone away?

1. Blank verse
2. Metre
3. (End)rhyme
4. Alliteration

The War of the Roses was between the houses of …………………………… and ………………………..

1. York, Lancaster
2. Tudor, Windsor
3. Hannover, Lancaster
4. Tudor, Hannover

Beowulf and the late Middle Ages clear?

1. Yes
2. Mostly
3. No, still not clear about Beowulf
4. No, late Middle Ages make no sense.

Lesson aims: 

- Learn the basics about king Arthur and the Knights of the round table. 

- Learn  about chivalry

- Hear about the first adventures of Sir Gawain

- Take a look at the text in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. 

Watch the following video for an introduction of Arthur and his knights of the round table. 

An important feature of Arthurian Legend is the concept of Chivalry. 

In the next minutes, go online and find the answers to the following questions: 

1. What is chivalry 

2. What are the most important rules of chivalry. 

Watch the video for a short description of the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 

Now read page 26 of your reader

When does the story begin?

1. Christmas Eve
2. Christmas Day
3. New Year's Eve
4. New Year's Day

A huge green knight enters the castle and challenges the knights. What is the challenge?

1. He wants them to take a swing at him with his own axe
2. He wants to hit them with an axe
3. He wants them to follow him to the Green Chapel
4. He wants to see them again a year and a day later

Why does Gawain volunteer?

1. Because King Arthur tells him to
2. Because he is in love with Queen Guinevere and wants to impress her.
3. Because he thinks he is useless and expendable
4. Because he wants to show off his bravery

What happens after Gawain decapitates the Green Knight?

1. The Green Knight dies
2. The Green Knight gets up and leaves without his head.
3. The Green Knight gets up, picks up his head and leaves
4. The Green Knight picks up his head, promises to meet Gawain a year and a day later and leaves.

When does Gawain set out to meet the Green Knight?

1. On Christmas Day
2. On New Year's Eve
3. On All Saint's Day
4. On All Hallow's Day

Gawain takes a vow of chastity before he leaves. What is chastity?

1. No food
2. No drink
3. No killing
4. No sex

Why does Gawain stay behind at the castle instead of going on a hunt with the lord of the castle?

1. He doesn't like to kill animals
2. He is tired and needs to rest
3. He is afraid he will run into the Green Knight
4. He wants to seduce the lady of the castle

Which word best describes the arrangement Gawain and the lord of the castle make?

1. Reciprocity
2. Cowardice
3. Insanity
4. Arrogance

Time to read (a modernised version of) the actual tale. It starts when Gawain is in bed while the other men are out hunting. 

Listen and read along. 

HOMEWORK 

Answer questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on page 31 of your reader.