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
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
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
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?
Friday, March 13, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
HW for the week
Students are to complete the Study Island assignment, Reading 2, by Friday 2/27.
Students are to complete the following assignment for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Thursday 2/26:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-part 4
1. Why is it said that Gawain decides to keep the girdle the lady had given him? Is such a reason truly chivalric?
2. What is Gawain’s final answer to his generous host?
3. Describe the Green Chapel, in your own words.
4. How does Gawain react to the axe’s blow?
5. What is the Green Knight’s response? Is it reasonable?
6. How does Gawain qualify his request to the Knight for a second chance? Who seems more reasonable, then?
7. What is the significance of the words Gawain uses to provoke the Knight to use his axe as promised? Do they have any relationship to the outcome?
8. Why does the Knight excuse Gawain’s enjoyment of the Knight’s wife?
9. What is Gawain’s angry response to the Knight’s story? Do you think it is warranted?
10. We learn that the Green Knight is really Bercilak de Hautdesert, who owes his power to sinister Morgan le Faye, Gawain’s aunt! The Knight tells Gawain he has “tested” him because his aunt wanted to reveal the “surfeit of pride” in Arthur’s Court as well as to scare Arthur’s wife, Guenevere, with the mock beheading. What is Gawain’s reaction to these revelations?
11. Finally, what do Gawain’s neck scar and the green girdle he wears symbolize, for him? What are their parallels in the Bible?
Students are to complete the following assignment for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Thursday 2/26:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-part 4
1. Why is it said that Gawain decides to keep the girdle the lady had given him? Is such a reason truly chivalric?
2. What is Gawain’s final answer to his generous host?
3. Describe the Green Chapel, in your own words.
4. How does Gawain react to the axe’s blow?
5. What is the Green Knight’s response? Is it reasonable?
6. How does Gawain qualify his request to the Knight for a second chance? Who seems more reasonable, then?
7. What is the significance of the words Gawain uses to provoke the Knight to use his axe as promised? Do they have any relationship to the outcome?
8. Why does the Knight excuse Gawain’s enjoyment of the Knight’s wife?
9. What is Gawain’s angry response to the Knight’s story? Do you think it is warranted?
10. We learn that the Green Knight is really Bercilak de Hautdesert, who owes his power to sinister Morgan le Faye, Gawain’s aunt! The Knight tells Gawain he has “tested” him because his aunt wanted to reveal the “surfeit of pride” in Arthur’s Court as well as to scare Arthur’s wife, Guenevere, with the mock beheading. What is Gawain’s reaction to these revelations?
11. Finally, what do Gawain’s neck scar and the green girdle he wears symbolize, for him? What are their parallels in the Bible?
Friday, February 20, 2009
Students are to complete the following assignment for Monday:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-part 3
What is the first animal that the host hunts?
What does the lady want to do with Gawain while her husband is out hunting?
What do the men exchange when the host returns? Who wins?
What is the second animal?
What does the lady ask Gawain during her second visit?
What do the men exchange? Who wins?
What is the third animal?
What is the lady’s purpose during her third visit?
What gift does she give Gawain? What is the condition?
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-part 3
What is the first animal that the host hunts?
What does the lady want to do with Gawain while her husband is out hunting?
What do the men exchange when the host returns? Who wins?
What is the second animal?
What does the lady ask Gawain during her second visit?
What do the men exchange? Who wins?
What is the third animal?
What is the lady’s purpose during her third visit?
What gift does she give Gawain? What is the condition?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)