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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB8 3Ke0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAanB8 3Ke0&feature=related
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How does Beowulf illustrate the characteristics of an Epic?
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Beowulf is an Epic Poem Written in Old English Many versions Poems Books Graphic Novels/Comic Books Movies Author Unknown Passed on through storytelling for centuries until finally written down
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Thought to have been composed between 700 and 850 CE Passed down through Oral Tradition Finally written down around 1000 CE Based on real events Documents have been found that talk about Hygelac, Beowulf’s lord, dying in 521 AD
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Because this story existed for so long before being written down, there is no “true” version
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An Epic is a long story about an important event for a culture or country. Often the beginnings of a culture or country An Epic has at least one major Hero. Epic Hero: Determines the Fate of a culture or nation, often in battle. An Epic is usually written as a long poem in complicated, beautiful language. Beowulf was originally a poem, but has morphed into other forms of literature.
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Usually have supernatural beings – monsters, gods, angels. Grand scale: The fate of a nation or culture hangs in the balance. The Epic Hero is a person of great national importance. Involves extraordinary deeds in battle OR a long and dangerous journey. Epics were told orally to remember historical events – which are usually exaggerated.
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The Aeneid – about the beginnings of Rome and Italy The Odyssey – about the beginnings of Greece Paradise Lost – about Humanity’s struggle against Satan The Iliad – about the Trojan War The Death of Hector comes from The Iliad – so you’ve already read an Epic!
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Beowulf was a popular story in England, but the events actually take place in two countries near England: Sweden and Denmark. The story was told and written by Anglo- Saxons, who tell the story through the lens of their own values: Treasure Glory
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Book 1: Beowulf comes from Sweden to Denmark, where he has heard about a monster who terrorizes and murders people. Wanting Glory, he comes to kill the monster. Book 2: Still in Denmark, more monster trouble.
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Beowulf has returned to Geatland (in modern Sweden) and becomes King. 50 years pass. A Dragon begins to terrorize Beowulf’s people, and he must save them from the Dragon.
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Beowulf is a warrior, and later King, of the Geats (Swedish) Beowulf wants to make a name for himself as the Greatest Warrior. He is eager to risk his life for Glory so that he will always be remembered and respected. He also wants to earn a lot of Treasure, which he plans to take with him to the afterlife when he dies. He believes that having Glory and Treasure will make him Immortal.
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Remember Canterbury Tales? (Yes, you do.) Chaucer wrote in Middle English in the 14 th Century Beowulf was originally written down in the 11 th Century, when English was still what we consider Old English
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Canterbury Tales in Middle English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtE NfOMU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtE NfOMU Beowulf in Old English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkK4_5D qLhk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkK4_5D qLhk How are they different? Modern German: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06hGUW azcSQ&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06hGUW azcSQ&feature=related
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Britain is made up of four countries: England Scotland Ireland Wales Before the 5 th century, the dominant language and culture in Britain was Celtic
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In the 5 th Century, invaders from Germany called Anglo-Saxons conquered England
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The Anglo-Saxons took over what we know as England, which was pronounced “Angle- land,” and Whales Scotland and Ireland remained Celtic Anglo-Saxons brought their language, which was a version of German – “Angle-ish” We refer to this language today as Old English, because it was the beginnings of our language
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Praised Glory and Treasure, because they thought that this was the way to Immortality. Activity: Anglo- Saxon WebQuest http://www.bbc.co. uk/history/ancient/a nglo_saxons/
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