Done
Read The Wife of Bath
Chaucer
Chaucer 2
1. Define the following and give an example of each or use in a sentence.
1.Quest- a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something
I went on a quest to find my cell phone.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Quest
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2.Mead- 1.an alcoholic liquor made by fermenting honey and water.
2. any of various nonalcoholic beverages.
My sister drank the mead as though she hadn't drunk in days.
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3.Incubus- 1.an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, esp. one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep. Compare succubus ( def. 1 ) .
2. a nightmare.
3. something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
Example sentence: The incubus was feared by the women in town.
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4.Cosseted- to coddle, pamper, pet
Example Sentence: I cosseted my dog.
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5.Midas–noun
1. Classical Mythology . a Phrygian king, son of Gordius, who was given by Dionysus the power of turning whatever he touched into gold.
2. a person of great wealth or great moneymaking ability.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Midas
Example sentence: I inspire to become like how Midas once was.
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6.Sedge–noun
1. any rushlike or grasslike plant of the genus Carex, growing in wet places. Compare sedge family.
2. any plant of the sedge family.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sedge
Example Sentence: I saw some sedge growing near the creek.
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7.Bittern–noun
1. any of several tawny brown herons (bird) that inhabit reedy marshes, as Botaurus lentiginosus (American bittern), of North America, and B. stellaris, of Europe.
2. any of several small herons of the genus Ixobrychus, as I. exilis (least bittern), of temperate and tropical North and South America.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bittern
Example Sentence: The bittern was persistent in it's quest for a meal.
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8.Behest–noun
1. a command or directive.
2. an earnest or strongly worded request.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Behest
Example sentence: I detest the behest my sister read to me.
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9.Churl
–noun
1. a rude, boorish, or surly person.
2. a peasant; rustic.
3. a niggard; miser
4. English History . a freeman of the lowest rank.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Churl
Example Sentence: He was a churl in his affections.
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10.Sot- a drunkard
Example sentence: My sister is a sot and visits many bars every night.
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1.What were the knight’s crime, his original sentence, and his second sentence?
The knight's crime was raping a girl. At first, he was sentenced to death. However, the Queen gave him a second sentence and that was to find out what women wanted most in life and to return in a year with his answer.
2.What bargain do the knight and the old woman strike?
If the old woman tells him what woman desires most, he has to grant her one favor.
3.What payment for her help does the old woman demand, and what is the knight’s response?
The old woman demands he marry her. The knight is disgusted and bluntly refuses, but is forced.
4.What final choice does the old woman offer the knight at the end of the tale? What is his response?
The old woman gave him a decision: he could either take her as she is, old and ugly, but faithful or take her as a pretty young woman who will likely cheat. His response was that she could have complete power, as she is, and it was her decision whether or not she wanted to change herself.
5.What did you think of the Wife of Bath’s opinion about what women want most? If she were asked what men want most, how do you suppose she would respond?
I think the Wife of Bath is basing her opinion on what women want most by what she wants most, although I do agree with her. If she were asked what men want most, the Wife of Bath would say women want power more than anything, because power is everything.
6.Explain the irony of the knight’s quest to find out what women want.
The irony of the knight's quest to find out what women want most is that they all have different answers to what they want and so his quest is fruitless. Another thing I thought was ironic about is that women want power most of all and that is the very thing he took away from the girl he raped.
7.The knight moans about having the old woman for his wife. How does she respond to each objection he raises? Begin lines 276-278.
She explains that she may not be financially wealthy but true wealth is determined on a person's character. She also tells the knight that her age should earn his respect, not disgust and her ugliness will save him from cuckoldry.
8.How does the knight’s response to the choice given him by the old woman show that he’s learned his lesson about what women want?
The fact that he, who had alot of pride and dignity in himself, was willing to give the old everything he could, himself included, showed that he learned about what women want. It was clear to the readers that the knight knew what women want most is power and that there would be more benefits if he gave his up to his wife.
9.What opinions does the Wife of Bath express in the tale? What do all her opinions and her tale itself tell you about her character?
The Wife of Bath believes that the value of your wealth is not counted by how much money or stuff you have, but how good of a person you are. It tells me she is not shallow and understands that there is more to life than money. Her other belief she expresses in the tale is that people would be happier if they give over power to women rather than men. I think it says she's very ambitious and can be thought of as a feminist. She also believes that women always desire what is forbidden, and run away from that which is forced upon them. I think this belief of her supports her reasoning in becoming the "Wife of Bath". It was looked down upon to marry more than once and yet she's married five times.
10.How would the Wife of Bath fit into contemporary society? What social trends would she support or reject?
11. Consider the way this story begins and ends.How does the knight get into trouble, and how do things turn out for him?
The knight gets into trouble by raping a woman, or taking her power from her. In the end, he himself surrends his power to a woman.
12.Who is the “Wife of Bath” and her role in the City of Bath?Why is she on the pilgrimage?
She was pretty much the whore of the town. [Wife of Bath = married many in the town of Bath]. She was known to marry the rich, old men and then take their possessions upon their death. She marries many times, is dominant in relationships and forces her husbands to cater to her. She is on the pilgrimage to go to the shrine of Thomas à Beckett in Canterbury.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Lesson 5 - Sir Gawain and The Green Knight
Lesson
Done
Read online or in text Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. Define the following and give an example of each or use in a sentence.
1. Romance as applies to 13th century literature-
Literary form that developed in the aristocratic courts of mid-12th-century France and had its heyday in France and Germany between the mid-12th and mid-13th century in the works of such masters as Chrétien de Troyes and Gottfried von Strassburg. The staple subject matter is chivalric adventure (see chivalry), though love stories and religious allegories are sometimes interwoven. Most romances draw their plots from classical history and legend, Arthurian legend, and the adventures of Charlemagne and his knights. Written in the vernacular, they share a taste for the exotic, the remote, and the miraculous. Lingering echoes of the form can be found in later centuries, as in the Romanticism of the 18th–19th century and today's popular romantic novels.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/romance
Example Sentence: The romance from the 13th century is similar to today's romance, although they vary from eachother as well.
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2. Scythe-
A tool with a long curved blade attached at a more or less right angle to a long handle with grips for both hands; used for cutting grass as well as grain and other crops.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Scythe
Example Sentence: The man used a scythe to cut the grass.
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3. Allegory- in literature, symbolic story that serves as a disguised representation for meanings other than those indicated on the surface. The characters in an allegory often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions. The allegory is closely related to the parable, fable, and metaphor, differing from them largely in intricacy and length. A great variety of literary forms have been used for allegories. The medieval morality play Everyman, personifying such abstractions as Fellowship and Good Deeds, recounts the death journey of Everyman. Although allegory is still used by some authors, its popularity as a literary form has declined in favor of a more personal form of symbolic expression
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Allegory
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4. Reproof
1. a. a small piece of cloth, such as one torn from a discarded garment, or such pieces of cloth collectively
b. (as modifier): a rag doll
2. Brit slang, esp naval a flag or ensign
Example Sentence: The reproof was thrown into the ocean.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Reproof
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5. Staunch- –adjective, -er, -est.
1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person: a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.
2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty
3. strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods.
4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/staunch
Example Sentence: He delivered a staunch defense of the government.
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6. Scabbard–noun
1. a sheath for a sword or the like.
Example Sentence: He put away his sword in the scabbard.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Scabbard
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7. Girdle–noun
1. a lightweight undergarment, worn esp. by women, often partly or entirely of elastic or boned, for supporting and giving a slimmer appearance to the abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
Example Sentence: The older women prefered to wear girdles.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Girdle
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8. Elements of a romantic piece of literature
The four elements of Romanticism are
1. Love of nature
2. Importance of emotion/imagination
3. Rejection of classic art forms
4. Rebellion against society
Example Sentence: The elements of a romantic piece of literaure is usually of the same format as the originals.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_four_elements_of_romantic_literature
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2. Answer the questions.
1. Where does Gawain find the Green Knight, and what is the knight doing?
Gaiwan finds the Green Knight in the Green Chapel. The knight is sharping his weapon.
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2. What happens with the first and second strokes of the green Knight’s ax?
The Green Knight lifts the axe high and drops it. When the Green Knight sees Gawain flinch he stops his blade, mocking Gawain and questioning his reputation. Gawain tells him he will not flinch again, and the Green Knight lifts the axe a second time. Gawain doesn’t flinch as the axe comes down, and the Green Knight holds the blade again, this time congratulating Gawain’s courage. He then threatens Gawain, saying that the next blow will strike him. Angry, Gawain tells the knight to hurry up and strike, and the knight lifts his axe one last time.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
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3. What happens the third time?
He brings it down hard, but causes Gawain no harm other than a slight cut on his neck.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
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4. Who does the Green Knight turn out to be?
The Green Knight turns out to be Bertilak de Hautdesert.
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5. How does the Knight finally evaluate Gawain’s character?
The Knight evaluates Gaiwain's character as he make three attempts to behead Gaiwan. The Green Knight lifts the axe high and drops it. When the Green Knight sees Gawain flinch he stops his blade, mocking Gawain and questioning his reputation. Gawain tells him he will not flinch again, and the Green Knight lifts the axe a second time. Gawain doesn’t flinch as the axe comes down, and the Green Knight holds the blade again, this time congratulating Gawain’s courage
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
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6. In what ways is Sir Gawain in a superhuman romance hero?
Gawain's function, as medieval scholar Alan Markman says, "is the function of the romance hero … to stand as the champion of the human race, and by submitting to strange and severe tests, to demonstrate human capabilities for good or bad action."[64] Through Gawain's adventure, it becomes clear that he is merely human. The reader becomes attached to this human view in the midst of the poem’s romanticism, relating to Gawain’s humanity while respecting his knightly qualities. Gawain "shows us what moral conduct is. We shall probably not equal his behaviour, but we admire him for pointing out the way."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Gawain_and_the_Green_Knight#Green_Knight
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7. What images make the setting of the confrontation seem demonic? Is there any symbolism suggested by this setting? Explain.
Though Bertilak's castle appears as if by magic in answer to his prayer, still the castle's artificiality and Gawain's admittedly natural failure to recognize its connection with his quest emphasize the increasing isolation of the hero and, perhaps, his potential dehumanization as object of Bertilak's apparently light-hearted hunt--and one is reminded of Frye's remark that "in romance the paradisal is frequently a deceitful illusion that turns out to be demonic" (98).
http://faculty.uca.edu/jona/second/ggkdescent.htm
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8. Describe the writer’s tone in this story? Is he entirely serious, or do you find moments of humor? Support with evidence from the story.
_________________________________
9. If this is an allegory, who would be the sinner and who would be the Christ figure? What would be the terms of salvation?
If this is an allegory, Gaiwan would be the sinner and The Green Knight would be Christ. To reach salvation Gaiwan repents his sins to the Green Knight and is able to stay alive and maintain his personal integrity.
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10. Compare the romantic triangle in this story with romantic triangles in contemporary fiction or movies.
The romantic triangle can compared to the trio from the movie New Moon. Gaiwan would be like Jacob, who is in somewhat of an affair with Bella, who can be seen as Lady Bertilak. Bertilak de Hautdesert can be seen as Edward; they both were oblivious to the affairs.
Done
Read online or in text Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. Define the following and give an example of each or use in a sentence.
1. Romance as applies to 13th century literature-
Literary form that developed in the aristocratic courts of mid-12th-century France and had its heyday in France and Germany between the mid-12th and mid-13th century in the works of such masters as Chrétien de Troyes and Gottfried von Strassburg. The staple subject matter is chivalric adventure (see chivalry), though love stories and religious allegories are sometimes interwoven. Most romances draw their plots from classical history and legend, Arthurian legend, and the adventures of Charlemagne and his knights. Written in the vernacular, they share a taste for the exotic, the remote, and the miraculous. Lingering echoes of the form can be found in later centuries, as in the Romanticism of the 18th–19th century and today's popular romantic novels.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/romance
Example Sentence: The romance from the 13th century is similar to today's romance, although they vary from eachother as well.
___________________________________
2. Scythe-
A tool with a long curved blade attached at a more or less right angle to a long handle with grips for both hands; used for cutting grass as well as grain and other crops.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Scythe
Example Sentence: The man used a scythe to cut the grass.
____________________________
3. Allegory- in literature, symbolic story that serves as a disguised representation for meanings other than those indicated on the surface. The characters in an allegory often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions. The allegory is closely related to the parable, fable, and metaphor, differing from them largely in intricacy and length. A great variety of literary forms have been used for allegories. The medieval morality play Everyman, personifying such abstractions as Fellowship and Good Deeds, recounts the death journey of Everyman. Although allegory is still used by some authors, its popularity as a literary form has declined in favor of a more personal form of symbolic expression
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Allegory
___________________________________
4. Reproof
1. a. a small piece of cloth, such as one torn from a discarded garment, or such pieces of cloth collectively
b. (as modifier): a rag doll
2. Brit slang, esp naval a flag or ensign
Example Sentence: The reproof was thrown into the ocean.
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Reproof
_______________________________________
5. Staunch- –adjective, -er, -est.
1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person: a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.
2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty
3. strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods.
4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/staunch
Example Sentence: He delivered a staunch defense of the government.
_______________________________________
6. Scabbard–noun
1. a sheath for a sword or the like.
Example Sentence: He put away his sword in the scabbard.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Scabbard
_______________________________________
7. Girdle–noun
1. a lightweight undergarment, worn esp. by women, often partly or entirely of elastic or boned, for supporting and giving a slimmer appearance to the abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
Example Sentence: The older women prefered to wear girdles.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Girdle
_______________________________
8. Elements of a romantic piece of literature
The four elements of Romanticism are
1. Love of nature
2. Importance of emotion/imagination
3. Rejection of classic art forms
4. Rebellion against society
Example Sentence: The elements of a romantic piece of literaure is usually of the same format as the originals.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_four_elements_of_romantic_literature
__________________________
2. Answer the questions.
1. Where does Gawain find the Green Knight, and what is the knight doing?
Gaiwan finds the Green Knight in the Green Chapel. The knight is sharping his weapon.
_________________________________________
2. What happens with the first and second strokes of the green Knight’s ax?
The Green Knight lifts the axe high and drops it. When the Green Knight sees Gawain flinch he stops his blade, mocking Gawain and questioning his reputation. Gawain tells him he will not flinch again, and the Green Knight lifts the axe a second time. Gawain doesn’t flinch as the axe comes down, and the Green Knight holds the blade again, this time congratulating Gawain’s courage. He then threatens Gawain, saying that the next blow will strike him. Angry, Gawain tells the knight to hurry up and strike, and the knight lifts his axe one last time.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
____________________________
3. What happens the third time?
He brings it down hard, but causes Gawain no harm other than a slight cut on his neck.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
______________________________
4. Who does the Green Knight turn out to be?
The Green Knight turns out to be Bertilak de Hautdesert.
___________________________
5. How does the Knight finally evaluate Gawain’s character?
The Knight evaluates Gaiwain's character as he make three attempts to behead Gaiwan. The Green Knight lifts the axe high and drops it. When the Green Knight sees Gawain flinch he stops his blade, mocking Gawain and questioning his reputation. Gawain tells him he will not flinch again, and the Green Knight lifts the axe a second time. Gawain doesn’t flinch as the axe comes down, and the Green Knight holds the blade again, this time congratulating Gawain’s courage
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/section4.rhtml
__________________________________
6. In what ways is Sir Gawain in a superhuman romance hero?
Gawain's function, as medieval scholar Alan Markman says, "is the function of the romance hero … to stand as the champion of the human race, and by submitting to strange and severe tests, to demonstrate human capabilities for good or bad action."[64] Through Gawain's adventure, it becomes clear that he is merely human. The reader becomes attached to this human view in the midst of the poem’s romanticism, relating to Gawain’s humanity while respecting his knightly qualities. Gawain "shows us what moral conduct is. We shall probably not equal his behaviour, but we admire him for pointing out the way."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Gawain_and_the_Green_Knight#Green_Knight
_____________________________________
7. What images make the setting of the confrontation seem demonic? Is there any symbolism suggested by this setting? Explain.
Though Bertilak's castle appears as if by magic in answer to his prayer, still the castle's artificiality and Gawain's admittedly natural failure to recognize its connection with his quest emphasize the increasing isolation of the hero and, perhaps, his potential dehumanization as object of Bertilak's apparently light-hearted hunt--and one is reminded of Frye's remark that "in romance the paradisal is frequently a deceitful illusion that turns out to be demonic" (98).
http://faculty.uca.edu/jona/second/ggkdescent.htm
____________________________________________
8. Describe the writer’s tone in this story? Is he entirely serious, or do you find moments of humor? Support with evidence from the story.
_________________________________
9. If this is an allegory, who would be the sinner and who would be the Christ figure? What would be the terms of salvation?
If this is an allegory, Gaiwan would be the sinner and The Green Knight would be Christ. To reach salvation Gaiwan repents his sins to the Green Knight and is able to stay alive and maintain his personal integrity.
___________
10. Compare the romantic triangle in this story with romantic triangles in contemporary fiction or movies.
The romantic triangle can compared to the trio from the movie New Moon. Gaiwan would be like Jacob, who is in somewhat of an affair with Bella, who can be seen as Lady Bertilak. Bertilak de Hautdesert can be seen as Edward; they both were oblivious to the affairs.
English 4 Lesson2
Lesson2- Beowulf
Done
1.Beowulf- Main character of the story and lengendary Geatish hero; strong, brave, wise, bold. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases—youth and age—and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts—with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. These two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story centers on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other
2.Brecca- a Bronding who, according to the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, was Beowulf's childhood friend. Breca defeated him in a swimming match.
While dining, Unferth alludes to the story of their contest, and Beowulf then relates it in detail, explaining how he needed to stop and defeat multiple sea monsters during the match.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_brecca_in_Beowulf
3.Grendel- Likely the poem’s most memorable creation, Grendel is one of the three monsters that Beowulf battles. His nature is ambiguous. Though he has many animal attributes and a grotesque, monstrous appearance, he seems to be guided by vaguely human emotions and impulses, and he shows more of an interior life than one might expect. Exiled to the swamplands outside the boundaries of human society, Grendel is an outcast who seems to long to be reinstated. The poet hints that behind Grendel’s aggression against the Danes lies loneliness and jealousy. By lineage, Grendel is a member of “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts.” (106–107). He is thus descended from a figure who epitomizes resentment and malice. While the poet somewhat sympathetically suggests that Grendel’s deep bitterness about being excluded from the revelry in the mead-hall owes, in part, to his accursed status, he also points out that Grendel is “[m]alignant by nature” and that he has “never show[n] remorse” (137).http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/canalysis.html
4.Herot
5.Hrothgar- Hroðgar is mentioned as the builder of the great hall Heorot, and ruler of Denmark when the Geatish hero Beowulf arrives to defeat the monster Grendel. Hroðgar is plunged into gloom after Grendel's mother kills Hroðgar's best friend, but when Beowulf advises him not to despair, Hroðgar leads the Danes and Geats out to attack the small lake where Grendel's mother lives. Beowulf takes his leave of Hroðgar to return home, and Hroðgar embraces him and weeps that they will not meet again (because Hroðgar is a very old man). This is Hroðgar's last appearance in the poem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hro%C3%B0gar
6.Unferth- Unferth’s challenge to Beowulf’s honor differentiates him from Beowulf and helps to reveal some of the subtleties of the heroic code that the warriors must follow. Unferth is presented as a lesser man, a foil for the near-perfect Beowulf. (A foil is a character whose traits contrast with and thereby accentuate those of another character.) The bitterness of Unferth’s chiding of Beowulf about his swimming match with Breca clearly reflects his jealousy of the attention that Beowulf receives. It probably also stems from his shame at being unable to protect Heorot himself—he is clearly not the sort of great warrior whom legend will remember. While boasting is a proper and acceptable form of self-assertion, Unferth’s harsh words show that it ought not to be bitter or disparaging of others. Rather than heroism, Unferth’s blustering reveals pride and resentment. Later, Unferth’s gift of his sword for Beowulf’s fight against Grendel’s mother heals Unferth’s breach of hospitality, but it does little to improve his heroic status. Unlike Beowulf, Unferth is clearly afraid to fight the monster himself.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/canalysis.html
7.Welthow- The Danish Queen, married to Hroðgar, the Danish king, and is the mother of sons Hreðric and Hroðmund. She fulfills the important role of hostess in the poem. The importance of this cup carrying practice is emphasized in lines 1161-1231. Here Wealhþeow, anxious that Hroðgar secures the succession for her own offspring, gives a speech and recompenses Beowulf for slaying Grendel with three horses and a necklace.The role of queens in the early Germania was to foster “social harmony through active diplomacy and conciliation". Wealhþeow inhabits this role by constantly speaking to each of the men in her hall and reminding them of their obligations – obligations to their country, their family, or their king.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealh%C3%BEeow
8.Wiglaf- Wiglaf first appears in Beowulf at line 2295, as a member of the band of thanes who go with Beowulf to seek out the dragon that has attacked Geat-Land. He is the son of Weohstan, a Swede of the Wægmunding clan who had entered the service of Beowulf, king of the Geats. Wiglaf is called Scylfing as a metonymy for Swede, as the Scylfings were the ruling Swedish clan. While in the service of the Scylfing Onela, king of the Swedes, Weohstan killed the rebel prince Eanmund and took his sword as a trophy; Wiglaf later inherited it, Weohstan belonged to the clan of the Wægmundings, the same clan that Beowulf's father Ecgþeow belonged to; so Wiglaf is Beowulf's son, and at the time of Beowulf's death he was Beowulf's only living relative. He essentially helped Beowulf kill the dragon before Beowulf died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiglaf
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1.How do the watchman’s words help characterize Beowulf. The watchman's words help characterize Beowuld, because it shows how influential Beowulf can be.
2.What are Beowulf’s credentials as a warrior?
3.According to Beowulf, what are Hrothgar’s options?
4.What happens before Beowulf and his followers leave their ship. Grendel attacks the mead hall again.
5.How does Beowulf differ from other warriors whom Grendel has attacked? The difference between Beowulf and other warriors was that Beowulf decided he would not use weapons, but his bare hands. He is also much stronger and wiser than the other warriors who tried to defeat Grendel.
6.What motivates Beowulf in his time of need? The glory of getting the job done is what motivates Beowulf.
7.Summarize what happens the morning after Beowulf’s triumph over Grendel. Beowulf and the people are in high spirits because they thought the enemy was dead. However, Grendel's mother comes and kills King Hrothgar's best friend as revenge for what Beowulf did. Hrothgar tells Beowulf about the monster's attack and Beowulf goes to her lair to kill her.
8. How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? Beowulf finds a magical sword and slashes her head off with it.
9. Why does Beowulf hand Grendel’s arm in the rafters? It symbolizes his victory over Grendel. He hangs it up so everyone can see that he killed the monster.
10. What is ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother?
It is ironic that Beowulf kills Grendel's mother with a magical sword, because it's the same sword that protected Grendel from being slain by weapons.
11. What details describe the dragon?Explain what the dragon might symbolize as Beowulf’s final Foe. The poet describes the dragon as vengeful and selfish, burning homes, crops, and even Beowulf's hall just because it's treasure was stolen. The dragon symbolizes the antithesis of Beowulf. Where Beowulf would share his treasures with his people, the dragon hoard them and spites people if his reasures are token.
12.What events precede the dragon’s attack on the Geats? A slave stole the dragon's golden cup.
13. How do the dragon’s motives differ from those of Grendel?
The dragon attacked the Geats out of revenge, because a slave stolen a treasure of his. Grendel attacked the Geats out of envy because while he was alone and sad, the Geats were happy and celebrated often. The dragon acted because he felt something insulted by something physical while Grendel attacked because he felt he was insulted by something emotional.
14. Is Beowulf being foolhardy or noble in deciding to fight alone?Explain.
Beowulf was being arrogant when he decided to fight alone
15. Who comes to Beowulf’s aid in his final battle with the dragon?Why? Wiglaf comes because he felt in dept to Beowulf after Beowulf saved his life before he drowned during their swimming race.
16. What happens to the dragon’s hoard? The Geats burnt all of the dragon's hoard in Beowulf's pyre.
17. How does this passage show the bond of kinship in Anglo-Saxon culture?Beowulf went to save the Geats mainly because his father was in dept to Hrothgar. Because his father is dead, Beowulf decides to take on what his father could not do. This shows the strength between father and son in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Grendel's mother sought to avenge her son after Beowulf attacked him even though her son was at fault for attacking the Geats. This shows the protectiveness the Anglo-Saxons culture was derived of when it came to parents and their children.
18. Why does Beowulf believe that he has been a good king? Beowulf believes he was a good king because he protected his people, gave to the needy, and gave his all to better his land.
19.What sad scene concludes the epic?
It ends with his companions mourning their kinga and to do so they chant a dirge.
20. Why did the Anglo-Saxons regard cowardice as particularly shameful?
The Anglo-Saxons regarded cowardice as particularly shameful because not only did they lose their leader, but now they will be less safe from getting attacked due to the fact that no one wanted to go up against Beowulf. Now that he is dead, the Anglo-Saxons believe that foreign warlords will feel more confident and invade.
21. What does the hero’s death mean to his people?
Beowulf's death means that foreigners will feel more confident and attack more often due to the fact that Beowulf was like the guardian for the Geats. Now they are alot more vulnerable and must prepare themselves for future battles.
22. What do you think of the way women are portrayed in Beowulf? Mostly women are absent in this tale, because during those times women did not get involved in combat and Beowulf was mainly about combat and the preparation of it.
The story of Beowulf is set in the sixth century A.D., but it is not set in England.The story takes place in Scandinavia, and involves the Geats, a tribe in southern Sweden, and the Dances, a tribe in Denmark.
Done
1.Beowulf- Main character of the story and lengendary Geatish hero; strong, brave, wise, bold. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases—youth and age—and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts—with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king. These two phases of his life, separated by fifty years, correspond to two different models of virtue, and much of the moral reflection in the story centers on differentiating these two models and on showing how Beowulf makes the transition from one to the other
2.Brecca- a Bronding who, according to the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, was Beowulf's childhood friend. Breca defeated him in a swimming match.
While dining, Unferth alludes to the story of their contest, and Beowulf then relates it in detail, explaining how he needed to stop and defeat multiple sea monsters during the match.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_brecca_in_Beowulf
3.Grendel- Likely the poem’s most memorable creation, Grendel is one of the three monsters that Beowulf battles. His nature is ambiguous. Though he has many animal attributes and a grotesque, monstrous appearance, he seems to be guided by vaguely human emotions and impulses, and he shows more of an interior life than one might expect. Exiled to the swamplands outside the boundaries of human society, Grendel is an outcast who seems to long to be reinstated. The poet hints that behind Grendel’s aggression against the Danes lies loneliness and jealousy. By lineage, Grendel is a member of “Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcasts.” (106–107). He is thus descended from a figure who epitomizes resentment and malice. While the poet somewhat sympathetically suggests that Grendel’s deep bitterness about being excluded from the revelry in the mead-hall owes, in part, to his accursed status, he also points out that Grendel is “[m]alignant by nature” and that he has “never show[n] remorse” (137).http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/canalysis.html
4.Herot
5.Hrothgar- Hroðgar is mentioned as the builder of the great hall Heorot, and ruler of Denmark when the Geatish hero Beowulf arrives to defeat the monster Grendel. Hroðgar is plunged into gloom after Grendel's mother kills Hroðgar's best friend, but when Beowulf advises him not to despair, Hroðgar leads the Danes and Geats out to attack the small lake where Grendel's mother lives. Beowulf takes his leave of Hroðgar to return home, and Hroðgar embraces him and weeps that they will not meet again (because Hroðgar is a very old man). This is Hroðgar's last appearance in the poem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hro%C3%B0gar
6.Unferth- Unferth’s challenge to Beowulf’s honor differentiates him from Beowulf and helps to reveal some of the subtleties of the heroic code that the warriors must follow. Unferth is presented as a lesser man, a foil for the near-perfect Beowulf. (A foil is a character whose traits contrast with and thereby accentuate those of another character.) The bitterness of Unferth’s chiding of Beowulf about his swimming match with Breca clearly reflects his jealousy of the attention that Beowulf receives. It probably also stems from his shame at being unable to protect Heorot himself—he is clearly not the sort of great warrior whom legend will remember. While boasting is a proper and acceptable form of self-assertion, Unferth’s harsh words show that it ought not to be bitter or disparaging of others. Rather than heroism, Unferth’s blustering reveals pride and resentment. Later, Unferth’s gift of his sword for Beowulf’s fight against Grendel’s mother heals Unferth’s breach of hospitality, but it does little to improve his heroic status. Unlike Beowulf, Unferth is clearly afraid to fight the monster himself.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/canalysis.html
7.Welthow- The Danish Queen, married to Hroðgar, the Danish king, and is the mother of sons Hreðric and Hroðmund. She fulfills the important role of hostess in the poem. The importance of this cup carrying practice is emphasized in lines 1161-1231. Here Wealhþeow, anxious that Hroðgar secures the succession for her own offspring, gives a speech and recompenses Beowulf for slaying Grendel with three horses and a necklace.The role of queens in the early Germania was to foster “social harmony through active diplomacy and conciliation". Wealhþeow inhabits this role by constantly speaking to each of the men in her hall and reminding them of their obligations – obligations to their country, their family, or their king.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealh%C3%BEeow
8.Wiglaf- Wiglaf first appears in Beowulf at line 2295, as a member of the band of thanes who go with Beowulf to seek out the dragon that has attacked Geat-Land. He is the son of Weohstan, a Swede of the Wægmunding clan who had entered the service of Beowulf, king of the Geats. Wiglaf is called Scylfing as a metonymy for Swede, as the Scylfings were the ruling Swedish clan. While in the service of the Scylfing Onela, king of the Swedes, Weohstan killed the rebel prince Eanmund and took his sword as a trophy; Wiglaf later inherited it, Weohstan belonged to the clan of the Wægmundings, the same clan that Beowulf's father Ecgþeow belonged to; so Wiglaf is Beowulf's son, and at the time of Beowulf's death he was Beowulf's only living relative. He essentially helped Beowulf kill the dragon before Beowulf died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiglaf
__________________________________________
1.How do the watchman’s words help characterize Beowulf. The watchman's words help characterize Beowuld, because it shows how influential Beowulf can be.
2.What are Beowulf’s credentials as a warrior?
3.According to Beowulf, what are Hrothgar’s options?
4.What happens before Beowulf and his followers leave their ship. Grendel attacks the mead hall again.
5.How does Beowulf differ from other warriors whom Grendel has attacked? The difference between Beowulf and other warriors was that Beowulf decided he would not use weapons, but his bare hands. He is also much stronger and wiser than the other warriors who tried to defeat Grendel.
6.What motivates Beowulf in his time of need? The glory of getting the job done is what motivates Beowulf.
7.Summarize what happens the morning after Beowulf’s triumph over Grendel. Beowulf and the people are in high spirits because they thought the enemy was dead. However, Grendel's mother comes and kills King Hrothgar's best friend as revenge for what Beowulf did. Hrothgar tells Beowulf about the monster's attack and Beowulf goes to her lair to kill her.
8. How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother? Beowulf finds a magical sword and slashes her head off with it.
9. Why does Beowulf hand Grendel’s arm in the rafters? It symbolizes his victory over Grendel. He hangs it up so everyone can see that he killed the monster.
10. What is ironic about the way Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother?
It is ironic that Beowulf kills Grendel's mother with a magical sword, because it's the same sword that protected Grendel from being slain by weapons.
11. What details describe the dragon?Explain what the dragon might symbolize as Beowulf’s final Foe. The poet describes the dragon as vengeful and selfish, burning homes, crops, and even Beowulf's hall just because it's treasure was stolen. The dragon symbolizes the antithesis of Beowulf. Where Beowulf would share his treasures with his people, the dragon hoard them and spites people if his reasures are token.
12.What events precede the dragon’s attack on the Geats? A slave stole the dragon's golden cup.
13. How do the dragon’s motives differ from those of Grendel?
The dragon attacked the Geats out of revenge, because a slave stolen a treasure of his. Grendel attacked the Geats out of envy because while he was alone and sad, the Geats were happy and celebrated often. The dragon acted because he felt something insulted by something physical while Grendel attacked because he felt he was insulted by something emotional.
14. Is Beowulf being foolhardy or noble in deciding to fight alone?Explain.
Beowulf was being arrogant when he decided to fight alone
15. Who comes to Beowulf’s aid in his final battle with the dragon?Why? Wiglaf comes because he felt in dept to Beowulf after Beowulf saved his life before he drowned during their swimming race.
16. What happens to the dragon’s hoard? The Geats burnt all of the dragon's hoard in Beowulf's pyre.
17. How does this passage show the bond of kinship in Anglo-Saxon culture?Beowulf went to save the Geats mainly because his father was in dept to Hrothgar. Because his father is dead, Beowulf decides to take on what his father could not do. This shows the strength between father and son in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Grendel's mother sought to avenge her son after Beowulf attacked him even though her son was at fault for attacking the Geats. This shows the protectiveness the Anglo-Saxons culture was derived of when it came to parents and their children.
18. Why does Beowulf believe that he has been a good king? Beowulf believes he was a good king because he protected his people, gave to the needy, and gave his all to better his land.
19.What sad scene concludes the epic?
It ends with his companions mourning their kinga and to do so they chant a dirge.
20. Why did the Anglo-Saxons regard cowardice as particularly shameful?
The Anglo-Saxons regarded cowardice as particularly shameful because not only did they lose their leader, but now they will be less safe from getting attacked due to the fact that no one wanted to go up against Beowulf. Now that he is dead, the Anglo-Saxons believe that foreign warlords will feel more confident and invade.
21. What does the hero’s death mean to his people?
Beowulf's death means that foreigners will feel more confident and attack more often due to the fact that Beowulf was like the guardian for the Geats. Now they are alot more vulnerable and must prepare themselves for future battles.
22. What do you think of the way women are portrayed in Beowulf? Mostly women are absent in this tale, because during those times women did not get involved in combat and Beowulf was mainly about combat and the preparation of it.
The story of Beowulf is set in the sixth century A.D., but it is not set in England.The story takes place in Scandinavia, and involves the Geats, a tribe in southern Sweden, and the Dances, a tribe in Denmark.
English 4
Lesson 1- History
Done
Research the Anglo Saxon Period online or from a textbook.
The following are exercises relating to this time period.
Anglo-Saxon Times:
1. Explain the following:
1.Traits of an Epic Hero: Strong, wise, brave, tough
2.Woman’s role in Anglo-Saxon Culture: making clothes, having, raising, and educating children, household chores, check over slaves, be a hotess when needed
3.Rome’s Role in Britain in Anglo-Saxon Times:
4.Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to:The need to protect their clan from enemies
5. The Christian Monasteries:
Vocabulary of the times
2. Define the following and give an example of each or use in a sentence.
1.Elegy- a sad song/poem for a dead person or people
2.Epic- heroic, great; or a story of a heroic person and the events that made them so
3.Kenning- a conventional poetic phrase used for or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing, esp. in Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon verse, as “a wave traveler” for “a boat.”
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kenning
4.Symbol- an object or thing that represents something else
5.Alliteration Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm
6.Caesura- a break, esp. a sense pause, usually near the middle of a verse, and marked in scansion by a double vertical line, as in know then thyself ‖ presume not god to scan.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Caesura+
7.Tone- The author's attitude for the story. The tone can be determined by the word choice of the author and the actions of the characters in the story.
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm
8.Themes Main idea of the story. Themes can be expressed by the emotions in the story, the characters, the thoughts and dialogue, and through the actions and events that occur.
9.Comparison- A way of developing ideas in writing by showing similarities between or among things.
http://literaryterms.blogspot.com/2006/02/literary-devices.html
10.Contrast- In literature, an author writes contrast when he or she describes the difference(s) between two or more entities.
Ex: Swiss cheese is white, where cheddar is orange.
http://literaryterms.blogspot.com/2006/02/literary-devices.html
11.Scops- an Old English poet or bard
12.Synonym words with the same or similar meaning
13 Reprisal- revenge
Done
Research the Anglo Saxon Period online or from a textbook.
The following are exercises relating to this time period.
Anglo-Saxon Times:
1. Explain the following:
1.Traits of an Epic Hero: Strong, wise, brave, tough
2.Woman’s role in Anglo-Saxon Culture: making clothes, having, raising, and educating children, household chores, check over slaves, be a hotess when needed
3.Rome’s Role in Britain in Anglo-Saxon Times:
4.Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to:The need to protect their clan from enemies
5. The Christian Monasteries:
Vocabulary of the times
2. Define the following and give an example of each or use in a sentence.
1.Elegy- a sad song/poem for a dead person or people
2.Epic- heroic, great; or a story of a heroic person and the events that made them so
3.Kenning- a conventional poetic phrase used for or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing, esp. in Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon verse, as “a wave traveler” for “a boat.”
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kenning
4.Symbol- an object or thing that represents something else
5.Alliteration Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm
6.Caesura- a break, esp. a sense pause, usually near the middle of a verse, and marked in scansion by a double vertical line, as in know then thyself ‖ presume not god to scan.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Caesura+
7.Tone- The author's attitude for the story. The tone can be determined by the word choice of the author and the actions of the characters in the story.
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm
8.Themes Main idea of the story. Themes can be expressed by the emotions in the story, the characters, the thoughts and dialogue, and through the actions and events that occur.
9.Comparison- A way of developing ideas in writing by showing similarities between or among things.
http://literaryterms.blogspot.com/2006/02/literary-devices.html
10.Contrast- In literature, an author writes contrast when he or she describes the difference(s) between two or more entities.
Ex: Swiss cheese is white, where cheddar is orange.
http://literaryterms.blogspot.com/2006/02/literary-devices.html
11.Scops- an Old English poet or bard
12.Synonym words with the same or similar meaning
13 Reprisal- revenge
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