The 13th Warrior

We are currently viewing the film The 13th Warrior and completing the following assignment:

Beowulf and The13th Warrior
50pts

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

Permission slips have already been sent home.

Beowulf HW

Students are to complete the following assignment by Tuesday:

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.

Beowulf

Students completed the following assignment in class today:

Beowulf
Chapters 10-12
20pts

Read chapters 10-12 and respond to the following in complete sentences.

Chapter 10
Why is Beowulf so confident without weapons? Provide one line from the text that explains this.

Chapters 11-12
Why does Grendel lose this battle? List and explain at least 2 reasons.

HW

Students have the following assignment 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?

Boast

Students were given the following assignment today:

Beowulf
The Boast

Over the course of this school year you will have to get used to the idea of bragging about yourself. You have to sell yourselves to colleges and/or employers, based on your past accomplishments. You also know that I, your teacher/leader/mentor/idol, really enjoy listening to my students speak of their confidence. A little arrogance can be a good thing. Just look at me.

Read over Beowulf’s boasting words, as he answers the watchman, and then to King Hrothgar…chapters 4-6.

My father/Was a famous soldier, known far and wide/As a leader of men. His name was Edgetho./His life lasted many winters;/Wise men all over the earth surely/Remember him still…Hail, Hrothgar!/Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days/Of my youth have been filled with glory…My people have said, the wisest, most knowing/And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’/Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves,/Have watched me rise from the darkness of war,/Dripping with my enemies’ blood. I drove/Five great giants into chains, chased/All of that race from the earth. I swam…A single request! I have come so far,/Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend,/That this one favor you must not refuse me-

Now you will write up your own boast and will present it to the class. You can be yourself, or take on any occupation, or pretend to be a famous actress, actor, writer, politician, etc…go for it!!! Pretend you are boasting about yourself to be “awarded” this “job”-be it getting into a certain college, or getting a waitressing job at Applebee’s…sell yourself!! Your boast must adhere to the following guidelines:

20-25 lines, poetic structure (rhyming not necessary)
Heritage must be discussed-father and/or mother at least
Prior accomplishments must be discussed
Must include 2-4 kennings
Must include 2 similes
Must include 2 metaphors
Must include alliteration
Must include personification
Bonus points will be awarded for getting into character and dressing up appropriately, using props, and/or memorizing your boast
Be creative and have fun

You will be graded on the written boast, and the oral delivery. You must use inflection in your voice! Give it your all!! The stage is yours!!! Do it!!!!!

Due date: Typed (any font—whatever is easiest to read from)—Wednesday,
March 25th!—a schedule will be created to present

Written boast: 25 points; Oral delivery: 25 points

HW

Students are to complete the following for HW:
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?

Beowulf HW

Students are to complete the following assignment for Monday:

Beowulf
Chapters 1-2
20pts

Chapters 1-2 summarize the basic conflict of the story. We are given a very detailed description of the villain (Grendel). Using these events write a journal entry from Grendel’s perspective. Consider whether or not there is any justification to his actions. You must discuss in at least 2 well-organized paragraphs, your feelings about the men and why you are so angry. Write what you would say and think if you were Grendel.

Essay

Students are to have the following essay completed by tomorrow:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-Essay 50pts

Examine the ideal of knighthood as presented in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In what ways is Gawain an ideal knight, and in what ways does he fail to live up to the ideal? In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, does the poet endorse the chivalric ideal or condemn it?


It will be collected at the beginning of the period.

Happy Birthday Chuck