L3T'S C

Thursday, February 16, 2017

10 - BEOWULF

The Epic Poem

It is a long narrative poetic composition. It consists of supernatural events; great deeds of heroes; banquet, battle, funeral or voyage scenes; didattic aim; kennings; aristocratic and military society; recollection of a glorious past; vivid language; and the theme which was of heroic life. “Beowulf” (7th Century)

The story

“Beowulf” talks about the legend of a young Scandinavian hero who fights two gigantic monsters, Grendel and Grendel’s mother, to bring happiness to the kingdom of Herot in Denmark. He kills the monsters but, at the same time, he is mortally wounded. Before he dies he gives his armour to Wiglaf, his young retainer. When he is buried, the gold he won for his people is buried with him.

Beowulf” is an epic poem because it celebrates the glorious adventures of a great warrior and hero. It also contains the supernatural, for example, the name “Beowulf”, which means bear, underlines his superhuman powers (he can stay underwater and fly, too).

Supernatural characters

There are supernatural characters in this poem, for example, the giant monster (dragon) Grendel. He is the descendent of the human being Cain. He represents pure evil. His mother is a dragon that can dissolve swords with her blood. When Beowulf becomes the King of the Geats, he is bitten by a flying, fire-breathing dragon. His poison kills Beowulf.

Themes

This is an epic poem because the society described is aristocratic and military with Christian ideals. An important theme in the poem is the deep feeling for nature illustrated in the supernatural character.

The Pagan Elegy

It is a lyrical, subjective poem. It talks about loss of friendship; moving view of the human condition; vivid language; active images; alliteration; melancholic mood; and the figure of the exile. The most important pagan elegy is the anonymous poem “The Seafarer”. It talks about life at sea and the hardships and sufferings that no man on Earth could possibly know. Even if he was afraid of the sea because it was cold and frightening, his heart and soul would always return to sea.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

8 - PROJECTS

Choose from one of the projects and prepare a brief 6-minute discourse, video or presentation:

PROJECT 1: Talk about a famous landmark or ruins left behind by The Celts, The Romans or The Anglo-Saxons.

PROJECT 2: What can you find today in Great Britain that reminds us about ancient populations?

PROJECT 3: What aspects of the modern English language have been influenced by ancient civilizations?

PROJECT 4: Discuss what a ballad, a carol and a song is. Then give examples.

GOOD LUCK!!!