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CP English 12 Assignments
(Page numbers refer to The Language of Literature textbook unless otherwise noted.)
UNIT 1
EPIC HEROES AND ORDINARY PEOPLE: THE ANGLO-SAXON AND MEDIEVAL PERIODS
Week 1
Anglo-Saxon Beginnings: Beowulf
During the Anglo-Saxon period from 449-1066, epic poetry was the dominant genre. These early years were ones of turmoil and change, and storytellers responded by celebrating heroic warriors who prevailed in battle. Tests of courage not only made for exciting stories, but they provided a platform for expressing a strong belief in fate and for reinforcing religious faith and moral instruction through literature. The church and pagan worlds were often strongly juxtaposed in a good vs. evil scenario. The most famous surviving Anglo-Saxon epic poem is Beowulf, about a legendary hero of the northern European past. Beowulf is the product of oral tradition, and the surviving version was written out by monks around the year 1000. The author is believed to have been Christian, since it contains passages that suggest a Christian world view. If the study of Beowulf seems irrelevant, consider that many of Hollywood’s blockbuster films continue to resemble the plot and characteristics portrayed in this epic story of Vikings and monsters.
Objectives: • Recognize how the early historical and cultural development of Britain influenced it first literature • Understand and appreciate a classic epic • Define an epic hero • Identify characteristics of epics • Identify alliteration and appreciate effects
□ pp. 16-26 Read “Historical Background: The Anglo-Saxons and Medieval Periods (449-1066)” □ pp. 28-29 Reads “Learning the Language of Literature: The Epic” □ Do Write a one-page journal entry: “Who is your hero and why?” □ pp. 30- 31 Read “Build Background” and preview “Words to Know,” then Read Summary □ pp. 32-35 Read “Grendel” □ pp. 36-39 Read “Beowulf” □ Do As you read. Find examples
(Page numbers refer to The Language of Literature textbook unless otherwise noted.)
UNIT 1
EPIC HEROES AND ORDINARY PEOPLE: THE ANGLO-SAXON AND MEDIEVAL PERIODS
Week 1
Anglo-Saxon Beginnings: Beowulf
During the Anglo-Saxon period from 449-1066, epic poetry was the dominant genre. These early years were ones of turmoil and change, and storytellers responded by celebrating heroic warriors who prevailed in battle. Tests of courage not only made for exciting stories, but they provided a platform for expressing a strong belief in fate and for reinforcing religious faith and moral instruction through literature. The church and pagan worlds were often strongly juxtaposed in a good vs. evil scenario. The most famous surviving Anglo-Saxon epic poem is Beowulf, about a legendary hero of the northern European past. Beowulf is the product of oral tradition, and the surviving version was written out by monks around the year 1000. The author is believed to have been Christian, since it contains passages that suggest a Christian world view. If the study of Beowulf seems irrelevant, consider that many of Hollywood’s blockbuster films continue to resemble the plot and characteristics portrayed in this epic story of Vikings and monsters.
Objectives: • Recognize how the early historical and cultural development of Britain influenced it first literature • Understand and appreciate a classic epic • Define an epic hero • Identify characteristics of epics • Identify alliteration and appreciate effects
□ pp. 16-26 Read “Historical Background: The Anglo-Saxons and Medieval Periods (449-1066)” □ pp. 28-29 Reads “Learning the Language of Literature: The Epic” □ Do Write a one-page journal entry: “Who is your hero and why?” □ pp. 30- 31 Read “Build Background” and preview “Words to Know,” then Read Summary □ pp. 32-35 Read “Grendel” □ pp. 36-39 Read “Beowulf” □ Do As you read. Find examples