Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Canterbury Tales/General Prologue
We spent time in class covering the many characters described in the general prologue. The students worked in groups and will present their findings to the rest of the class tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Have a great weekend
We will finish the film on Monday and discuss the connections to Beowulf. If anyone sees the new movie over the weekend, see me about extra credit.
Monday, November 19, 2007
100pt Assignment
Today we began viewing The 13th Warrior. Upon completion of the film students will be responsible for the following assignment:
Beowulf and The13th Warrior
100pts
Due 12/3/07
The 13th Warrior is the screenplay for the book Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. This book is based off the remaining fragments of an actual report written in the 10th century by Ahmad Ibn Fadlan of his adventures with a company of Norsemen. Director John McTiernan effectively uses the elements of an epic and weaves in connections to Beowulf. You are to make note of these connections and take notes as we view this film. If you miss a day, please be responsible to either schedule a time with me, or rent it out on your own. Yes, you will be writing a paper, focusing on one of the following:
The traits of the epic hero-compare/contrast the book to the movie
The blending of paganism and a new, foreign religion (Christianity in Beowulf; Islam in The 13th Warrior)
You must include specific references to both the poem and the film, citing your sources appropriately. Cite the line number(s) for Beowulf, and the director’s last name for The 13th Warrior (McTiernan). Be sure to have at least three textual references for the epic poem, and at least one for the film. It is not necessary to use any other outside sources. You are to analyze the works and use mature insight.
Keep in mind the following “rules” of a formal paper:
· Third person point of view (no I, no you)
· Present verb tense
· 12 point font, double-spaced
Check out these characters’ names from the film – sound familiar?
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan (Antonio Banderas) Buliwyf Herger (joyous)
Edgtho (silent) Roneth Ragnar (sullen) Helfdane (fat)
Rethel (archer) Hatlaf (boy) Halga (wise) Skeld (superstitious)
Weath (musician) Hyglak (quarrelsome)
King Hrothgar, Queen Weilew, Wigliff (king’s son), Olga
Beowulf and The13th Warrior
100pts
Due 12/3/07
The 13th Warrior is the screenplay for the book Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. This book is based off the remaining fragments of an actual report written in the 10th century by Ahmad Ibn Fadlan of his adventures with a company of Norsemen. Director John McTiernan effectively uses the elements of an epic and weaves in connections to Beowulf. You are to make note of these connections and take notes as we view this film. If you miss a day, please be responsible to either schedule a time with me, or rent it out on your own. Yes, you will be writing a paper, focusing on one of the following:
The traits of the epic hero-compare/contrast the book to the movie
The blending of paganism and a new, foreign religion (Christianity in Beowulf; Islam in The 13th Warrior)
You must include specific references to both the poem and the film, citing your sources appropriately. Cite the line number(s) for Beowulf, and the director’s last name for The 13th Warrior (McTiernan). Be sure to have at least three textual references for the epic poem, and at least one for the film. It is not necessary to use any other outside sources. You are to analyze the works and use mature insight.
Keep in mind the following “rules” of a formal paper:
· Third person point of view (no I, no you)
· Present verb tense
· 12 point font, double-spaced
Check out these characters’ names from the film – sound familiar?
Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan (Antonio Banderas) Buliwyf Herger (joyous)
Edgtho (silent) Roneth Ragnar (sullen) Helfdane (fat)
Rethel (archer) Hatlaf (boy) Halga (wise) Skeld (superstitious)
Weath (musician) Hyglak (quarrelsome)
King Hrothgar, Queen Weilew, Wigliff (king’s son), Olga
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Beowulf HW-Permission Slips
On Monday 11/19, we will begin viewing the film The 13th Warrior. It is an R-rated film which means it requires parental approval. The students were given permission slips today. If they are not returned to me with a parent/guardian signature, the student will be given an alternate assignment. The rating is a result of some graphic battle sequences. The story, however, is very relevant. It shows a realistic portrayal of the epic. The students will be given a major writing assignment based on both the film and the translation of Beowulf that was read in class.
Today we covered Beowulf's final battle. The students have the following HW assignment to complete:
Beowulf
Chapters 36-39
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Chapter 36
What is Wiglaf’s argument for helping Beowulf?
Chapter 37
How does Beowulf add to his image as the greatest, bravest, and strongest of all men? In other words, what makes it more impressive that he is able to kill the dragon? What is Beowulf’s request?
Chapter 38
Who does Beowulf thank? What does this say about him as a hero? What is Beowulf’s final request?
Chapter 39
What will be the punishment for the men that fled? Why is this so bad? Use examples of Anglo-Saxon values as support.
Today we covered Beowulf's final battle. The students have the following HW assignment to complete:
Beowulf
Chapters 36-39
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Chapter 36
What is Wiglaf’s argument for helping Beowulf?
Chapter 37
How does Beowulf add to his image as the greatest, bravest, and strongest of all men? In other words, what makes it more impressive that he is able to kill the dragon? What is Beowulf’s request?
Chapter 38
Who does Beowulf thank? What does this say about him as a hero? What is Beowulf’s final request?
Chapter 39
What will be the punishment for the men that fled? Why is this so bad? Use examples of Anglo-Saxon values as support.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Beowulf HW
The students read chapters 31-35 in class today. For HW they are to respond to the following questions in complete sentences:
How much time has passed?
Who/what is Beowulf's next opponent?
Why is this villain angry?
What will Beowulf use to battle this villain?
How many men help him?
How is this battle different from the others?
How much time has passed?
Who/what is Beowulf's next opponent?
Why is this villain angry?
What will Beowulf use to battle this villain?
How many men help him?
How is this battle different from the others?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Beowulf HW
Today in class we covered chapters 22-24. The students are required to complete the following worksheet by tomorrow:
Beowulf
Chapters 22-24
Respond to the following in complete sentences.
Chapter 22
How is the danger increased in this section? How does Beowulf show bravery?
Chapter 23
What is special about the sword Beowulf uses? What trophy does he take and what is unique about it? What is the significance of what happens to the sword?
Chapter 24
Give an example of Christian influence in this chapter.
Beowulf
Chapters 22-24
Respond to the following in complete sentences.
Chapter 22
How is the danger increased in this section? How does Beowulf show bravery?
Chapter 23
What is special about the sword Beowulf uses? What trophy does he take and what is unique about it? What is the significance of what happens to the sword?
Chapter 24
Give an example of Christian influence in this chapter.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Beowulf Boast
The students were given an assignment today requiring them to write their own boast in the style of Beowulf. The assignment is due Thursday 11/15 and is worth 75 points. 50pts-written 25pts-oral delivery. This will be the first grade of the second marking period.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Beowulf HW
Today we covered the many rewards that were heaped upon Beowulf after his victory over Grendel. They are very Anglo-Saxon in nature.
For HW the students are to complete the following assignment:
Beowulf
Chapters 18-20
As you read, respond to the following in complete sentences.
Chapter 18
List and explain several examples of Anglo-Saxon values in this chapter. Write down the specific lines that exemplify this.
Chapter 19
Who is Beowulf’s next opponent? Explain how Christian values relate to this new villain. What does she take with her? (2 things)
Chapter 20
List the descriptive words used to describe the villain and her home. (at least 5)
Explain how this relates to descriptions of Grendel.
For HW the students are to complete the following assignment:
Beowulf
Chapters 18-20
As you read, respond to the following in complete sentences.
Chapter 18
List and explain several examples of Anglo-Saxon values in this chapter. Write down the specific lines that exemplify this.
Chapter 19
Who is Beowulf’s next opponent? Explain how Christian values relate to this new villain. What does she take with her? (2 things)
Chapter 20
List the descriptive words used to describe the villain and her home. (at least 5)
Explain how this relates to descriptions of Grendel.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Beowulf HW-Due 11/2
The students worked on the following paper in class today, which should be completed by tomorrow:
Beowulf
Chapters 3-6
20pts
Read chapters 3-6 and respond to the following in complete sentences:
Chapter 3
List at least 8 words that are used to describe Beowulf and his companions in this chapter. What does this tell you about how the author wants you to feel about these characters?
Chapter 4
What does Beowulf reveal in his introduction? How does this differ from how you introduce yourself?
What is their purpose for travelling to Hrothgar’s land?
What is significant about the watchman’s “goodbye”?
Chapter 6
What will Beowulf use to fight Grendel? Why does he do this? Is this admirable? How will victory be decided?
They recieved the following assignment to complete on their own, also due tomorrow:
Beowulf
Chapters 7-9
20pts
Read chapters 7-9 and respond to the following in complete sentences:
In these chapters Unferth challenges Beowulf. What are his arguments against Beowulf? Do you see any validity in them? How does Beowulf put him in his place? Who would you side with if this were a modern argument and why?
Beowulf
Chapters 3-6
20pts
Read chapters 3-6 and respond to the following in complete sentences:
Chapter 3
List at least 8 words that are used to describe Beowulf and his companions in this chapter. What does this tell you about how the author wants you to feel about these characters?
Chapter 4
What does Beowulf reveal in his introduction? How does this differ from how you introduce yourself?
What is their purpose for travelling to Hrothgar’s land?
What is significant about the watchman’s “goodbye”?
Chapter 6
What will Beowulf use to fight Grendel? Why does he do this? Is this admirable? How will victory be decided?
They recieved the following assignment to complete on their own, also due tomorrow:
Beowulf
Chapters 7-9
20pts
Read chapters 7-9 and respond to the following in complete sentences:
In these chapters Unferth challenges Beowulf. What are his arguments against Beowulf? Do you see any validity in them? How does Beowulf put him in his place? Who would you side with if this were a modern argument and why?
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