Beowulf

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Friday, 12th of January

Programme

Vocabulary- unit 5: work

Expansion of vocabulary to used in speaking ( part 1+ 2)

Literature kick- off 

The beginnings to 1066 ( page 54- 55 reader)

Epic tale of Beowulf 

Beowulf

Ever heard  of the oldest of greatest poems in English called Beowulf?

Why do you think it is relevant to know ( parts of) it ?

Why is Beowulf probably older than the late 10th century?

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)

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

Answer: an onion

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.

Answer: a shield

Remember

Friday, 18th of January,

Page 35-  Do  Exercise 1-4