Literature 12-11

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome! Take a seat, get your readers and laptops out and log in to the lesson up!

Today

•  Beówulf!
  
• What is the story about?
• Why is Beówulf a hero (according to the anglo-saxons?)
• What are kennings?
  

What do you remember about Old English or Beówulf?

Beówulf (700-1000) - Context

Epic: long poem telling the story of a legendary hero

Setting:

• Very early Middle Ages (500-550AD)

• Denmark

• Mix between old Scandinavian pagan traditions (warrior culture) and Christian values.

• Heroic code

How would the Anglo-saxons describe a hero? (warriors/kings/women/all people)

Let's read the summary on page 7 and 8 in the reader.

•  Follow along with the reading
•  Write down words you don't know in the box on page 7.
  

Why was Beówulf considered a hero? Keep in mind the distinction between warrior and king (p. 6)

Let's get to work

1. In pairs, read and do the exercise on page 10.

2. Write down a definition of the words you did not know in the box on page 7.

3. Read the modern translation on page 9.

What is a kenning?

Let's check!

Before you go

•  You will get a piece of paper
  
• Write down in 5 sentences what Beówulf is about
• Finished? Hand in your paper and then you can go