1. Eng Lit, LAP 1, Day 1
Go over syllabus and assignments—introduce class.
Introduce Beowulf—historical background information.

2. Homework Get your syllabus signed Read Beowulf pages 30-44
Journal: 200 words minimum (including word count). Use the questions on page 44 as a starting point. This one will be turned in next class.
Open Labs:
Lit Terms open lab is due J day.
Vocab Lesson 7 work is due J day; quiz is due K day.

3. Syllabus and LAP 1

4. Why English Literature?
Maps

5. Anglo-Saxon Period P. 18 Lasted from 449 B.C.-1065 A.D.
Not much known before the Roman invasion by Julius Caesar in 55 B.C.
Around 449 B.C. people from around Germany (the Angles, the Saxons, and other groups) invaded Britain.
Christianity became more common
Language evolved
Beowulf was a product of this time period.

6. Beowulf
P.30
Epic poem– a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s deeds.
Retold orally for generations– publically performed by poets.
Usually repeat certain words and phrases:
Stock epithets: adjectives that point out special traits of particular people or things. Ex. “Swift-footed Beowulf.”
Kennings: poetic synonyms; a descriptive phrase that substitutes in for a noun. Ex. “The Almighty enemy” is used to describe Grendel.

7. Beowulf
Takes place on Europe’s mainland among the Danes (from Denmark) and the Geats (from Sweden).

8. Beowulf
Beowulf is a Geat. He crosses over to help the Danes and later returns to Sweden to succeed his uncle Higlac as king of the Geats.
Don’t know if Beowulf was real– his uncle was, though.
Not yet Christian, but there are some references to it.
Entertainment often involved gathering in mead halls, where they feasted, drank mead, and listened to tales of heroes.
Originally written in Old English– see p. 31.

9. Places and people to know
Beowulf: hero– a Geat warrior
Hrothgar: King of the Danes (also called Healfdane’s son)
Herot: Hrothgar’s mead hall
Higlac: Beowulf’s uncle (a Geat king)
Grendel: a demon monster who invades Herot.