Beowulf Webquest
The first text we will be reading in our heroism unit is Beowulf. An important distinction: Beowulf in italics like that refers to the epic poem (it's a long poem). Beowulf in regular text like this refers to the epic hero, or protagonist of our tale. Knowing that distinction will save you many headaches in the upcoming unit of study.
For today's quest, you will do some background on the people who wrote Beowulf (The Anglo-Saxons), the culture of the people about whom the tale is told, and the role of epic heroes in literature. Please record all answers in your journal except from the process task. Turn in the process task when you are finished.
For today's quest, you will do some background on the people who wrote Beowulf (The Anglo-Saxons), the culture of the people about whom the tale is told, and the role of epic heroes in literature. Please record all answers in your journal except from the process task. Turn in the process task when you are finished.
Part I: The Anglo Saxons
First, in your textbook, read pages 5-6 about the Anglo-Saxon Legacy. What key details about Anglo-Saxon beliefs, values, history, and culture are presented in this section? Make sure to include those notes in your journal.
Then, explore these websites for more information on culture. What were the values of the Anglo-Saxon society? How did men and women spend their time? What was the culture like at the time Beowulf was written? How did their values affect their outlook on wars? Use all of these resources to form your answer.
Then, explore these websites for more information on culture. What were the values of the Anglo-Saxon society? How did men and women spend their time? What was the culture like at the time Beowulf was written? How did their values affect their outlook on wars? Use all of these resources to form your answer.
Part II: Beowulf
Learn the history of Beowulf's people utilizing the following articles. What was most important? Who were key players? Most importantly: Who Were the Geats? Also, learn more about Beowulf's connection to the Geats. Here is a great map of where each of these people lived.
Then, look at the mystery surrounding the Beowulf manuscript. Use this link to find out more about the manuscript (use the navigation bar on the left to go through the information). How did the manuscript survive? what are important elements of the manuscript? Also, check out this link for the source of the Beowulf story.
After you've learned about the story's background, learn more about the story's setting and specifically the Mead Hall. In what way do you believe setting will play a role in this text?
Then, look at the mystery surrounding the Beowulf manuscript. Use this link to find out more about the manuscript (use the navigation bar on the left to go through the information). How did the manuscript survive? what are important elements of the manuscript? Also, check out this link for the source of the Beowulf story.
After you've learned about the story's background, learn more about the story's setting and specifically the Mead Hall. In what way do you believe setting will play a role in this text?
Part III: The Language
Check out the definitions of "alliteration" (1452) and "kenning" (1462) in your textbook. Both of these words will be important to your understanding of Beowulf, so put them in your notes. This article explains kennings in more depth. Do you think you can write any kennings of your own? Write at least two and post them in a reply comment in Google Classroom (Don't GOOGLE THEM! Write your own. Show me your knowledge.)
Process Task
For your final task, take all of your new Beowulf knowledge and create a visual to show your understanding of Anglo-Saxon history, culture, and the Beowulf manuscript. This can be a collage, a timeline, a picture with notes, a list of important study terms -- whatever you feel best shows me your knowledge. I want to see what you've learned in a format that will help you remember it for future reference. You may wish to include archetypes, especially that of the epic hero
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