Lessons, Week of 16-19 February 2014

13 February 2015

 

Dear Students:

 

I am advised that the seasonal virus predation is unusually virulent this year.  Do your best about handwashing, covering your mouth when sneezing and yawning, and all the other hygienic practices you were taught as a child.  

 

We are studying an excerpt from Beowulf at present.  If you do not yet have the excerpt I photocopied for you, numerous translations are available through the Orwellian Telescreen.  You need only the bits about Grendl (a symbol of absolute evil) and Beowulf’s defeat of that monster.

 

As with “The Seafarer,” Beowulf is predicated on a warrior culture making the transition from paganism to Christianity.  Some editors have been known to remove allusions to God and to Christianity from Beowulf, so you will want – for the sake of scholarly integrity, at least - to find an edition that retains them.  And, please, avoid the stupid movie: Beowulf is a Christian warrior, a hero.

 

“Beowulf” apparently means “Slayer of the Wolf,” another indication of our hero’s courage, strength, and skill.

 

Here are some notes on the concept of the epic as a poetic form:

 

 

 

Angelina College

M. Hall

 

Beowulf

 

 

Concepts:

 

1.  The Epic

               A.  Long narrative poem / tells a story of great adventures

               B.  Elevated / formal language

               C.  Epitomizes the values of a culture

               D.  Brave, good deeds

               E.  Heroism

               F.  Lots of long speeches

               G.  Catalogues – long lists of heroes, ships, battles

 

The term epic is still used to represent a great story representing the highest values of a culture. 

 

2.  The Epic Hero

               A.  Almost superhuman strength

               B.  Brags of his accomplishments

               C.  His accomplishments are worth bragging about!

               D.  Great warrior and leader

               E.  A just man

               F.  Protects women and children

               G.  Represents the highest values of a man in his culture

               H.  Fiercely loyal

 

3.  The Villain

               A.  Absolute evil with no redeeming values

               B.  The complete antithesis of a culture’s values

 

4.  Review the Anglo-Saxon poetic techniques you learned when studying “The Seafarer,” many of which are still found in poetry and music:  kenning, caesura, alliteration, and the four-beat line.

 

Be strong!

 

Cheers,

 

Mr. H