Grendel's Mother and Beowulf
A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE SIGNET CLASSIC EDITION OF
BEOWULF
By DANA HUFF
SERIES
W. GEIGER ELLIS, ED.D.,
EDITORS:
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, EMERITUS
and
ARTHEA J. S. REED, PH.D.,
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, RETIRED
A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Beowulf
2
INTRODUCTION
Beowulf ’s origins are mysterious. While we do not know the identity of the author, and we are unsure of its precise date of composition, most scholars believe it was composed by a single Christian author for a Christian audience in AngloSaxon England anywhere from the eighth to eleventh century. Beowulf was composed in the oral poetic tradition. Whether it was originally written or oral is not known. The poem, filled with biblical allusions to the Old Testament, is also influenced by Germanic oral tradition and Old Norse myth and legend.
Beowulf is well suited for upper-grade high school students of all abilities. Adolescent readers will enjoy its action and adventure. Television shows, such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules, and movies like The 13th Warrior (based on
Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead), have helped pique student interest in stories of feudal heroes.
Most upper-grade high school students previously have been introduced to epic poetry and its related concept of the epic hero in such works as The Odyssey. Lower-ability students should be able to read and understand Beowulf with the help of plot summaries and class discussions. All students will benefit from learning about Anglo-Saxon customs and values through the study of this early poem in a modern European language.
This teaching guide is organized in three sections presenting suggestions to be used before Beowulf is read, while it is being read, and after the reading is completed. Following these sections are a Bibliography and a Webliography for pursuing further study.
BEFORE READING
Before reading Beowulf students should review the definitions of epic
BEOWULF
By DANA HUFF
SERIES
W. GEIGER ELLIS, ED.D.,
EDITORS:
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, EMERITUS
and
ARTHEA J. S. REED, PH.D.,
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, RETIRED
A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Beowulf
2
INTRODUCTION
Beowulf ’s origins are mysterious. While we do not know the identity of the author, and we are unsure of its precise date of composition, most scholars believe it was composed by a single Christian author for a Christian audience in AngloSaxon England anywhere from the eighth to eleventh century. Beowulf was composed in the oral poetic tradition. Whether it was originally written or oral is not known. The poem, filled with biblical allusions to the Old Testament, is also influenced by Germanic oral tradition and Old Norse myth and legend.
Beowulf is well suited for upper-grade high school students of all abilities. Adolescent readers will enjoy its action and adventure. Television shows, such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules, and movies like The 13th Warrior (based on
Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead), have helped pique student interest in stories of feudal heroes.
Most upper-grade high school students previously have been introduced to epic poetry and its related concept of the epic hero in such works as The Odyssey. Lower-ability students should be able to read and understand Beowulf with the help of plot summaries and class discussions. All students will benefit from learning about Anglo-Saxon customs and values through the study of this early poem in a modern European language.
This teaching guide is organized in three sections presenting suggestions to be used before Beowulf is read, while it is being read, and after the reading is completed. Following these sections are a Bibliography and a Webliography for pursuing further study.
BEFORE READING
Before reading Beowulf students should review the definitions of epic