What have we been learning Where did English

What have we been learning? • Where did English come from? • What have been the major influences on our language? • What was Anglo-Saxon life like? • What’s a hero?

Today’s Questions • What is an epic? • Who wrote Beowulf? • Can you define syntax

Literary Vocabulary Beowulf

Kenning… • What is a kenning? –Book definition: Metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns. –(2 or more words that take the place of 1 noun) • Where would I find one? –Beowulf

Kenning… • Give me an example. -“Shepherd of evil” for Grendel –“Folk-king” for Beowulf –“Battle-flasher” for sword –“Candle of heaven” for the sun.

Lyric poem… • What is a lyric poem? – A short poem in which a single speaker expresses personal thoughts and feelings. In ancient Greece, they were meant to be sung. In modern times, are characterized by strong, melodic rhythms. • Where would I find one? – Shakespeare’s sonnets – Keats’s odes – Can you think of anywhere else? – “Seafarer” “Wanderer” “Wife’s Lament”

Lyric poem… He said I right what I see Write to make it right Don’t like where I be I like to make it like The sights on TV Quite the great life So nice and easy See now you can still die from that But it’s better than not being alive from straps Agreed A Mead notebook and a Bic that click When it’s pushed and a wack beat That’s a track that’s weak That he got last week ‘Cause everybody in the store Was like that’s that heat.

Caesura… • What is a caesura? – Book definition: a pause dividing a line into two parts. • Where can I find one? – Beowulf – Iliad – Aeneid

Caesura… • Give me an example. – An excerpt from Virgil’s Aeneid Of arms and the man, I sing. shores of Troy Who first from the Or… Sing, goddess, caesura the rage of Achilles the son of Peleus.

Epic poem… • What is an epic poem? – Book definition: A long narrative poem on a serious subject, presented in an elevated or formal style. It traces the adventures of a hero and share some or all of the following characteristics:

Epic poem… • Hero is a figure of high social status and often of great historical or legendary importance. • The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people. • The hero performs exceedingly courageous, sometimes superhuman, deeds that reflect the ideas and values of the era. • The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events. • The setting is large in scale, involving more than one nation and often a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands. • Long formal speeches are often given by the main character. • The poem discusses universal ideas, such as good and evil, life and death.

Epic poem… • Give me an example. – Beowulf – Iliad – Odyssey – Aeneid – Paradise Lost

Alliteration… • What is alliteration? – Book definition: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words used to emphasize certain words, to heighten moods, to establish a musical effect, to unify a passage, and to create meaning. • Where can I find it? – Poems, speeches, short stories, novels… – Beowulf

Alliteration… • Give me an example. – An excerpt from Beowulf Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came,

The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods p. 12 -15 discuss • Bayeux Tapestry • How do you define great literature? • How would you paraphrase C. S. Lewis’ quotation • Based on the art, quotation, and unit title, what do you think the selections in this unit might be about?

P. 16 -17 Timeline Select the 3 events you think are most significant and explain why. List these on poster or overhead & discuss.

Most important Timeline Events: • • • •

Historical Background • Read p. 18 -21 and complete The Anglo. Saxon Period Handout.

Around 600 B. C. . . Celts occupied British Isle v Pics v Welsh v Irish A. K. A Britons & Gaels

Where did they live? • Britons lived on the larger island, now known as Britain • Gaels lived on the smaller island, now known as Ireland • see p. 13 in textbook

Britons & Gaels (Celts) • Spoke different languages • Mainly farmers • Used iron tools • Lived in hut villages • Many tribal wars

Celtic Religion • “Pagan” religion • Worship of trees & nature • Druids were priests in charge of – Rituals – Prayers – sacrifices

Julius Caesar “Conquers” Britons • 55 B. C. • Julius Caesar claimed victory • Named it Britannia • Went back to Rome • No real Roman presence for next 100 years. • Caesar’s battle records 1 st historic record of England

Roman Emperor Claudius • Invaded “Britannia” in 43 A. D. • Set up camps across the entire area • Roman rule lasted 300 years • Prosperous time for the island

Roman Contributions to Britain • Roads –Well-paved –Highway system connecting much of the island

More Roman Contributions: • Architecture –Meeting halls –Law courts –Temples –Amphitheaters –Public baths

Romans Leave in 407 A. D. • Roman troops recalled to Rome • Rome was under attack from other European tribes • Left Britannia vulnerable for attack

Anglo-Saxon Invasion • Comprised of 3 groups –Angles –Saxons –Jutes • Conquered Brittany Ca. 441 A. D.

Anglo-Saxon Life • By 600 A. D. Britannia became “Angleland” and later England • Anglo-Saxons were excellent seafarers and agricultural people • Women had very defined domestic roles

Anglo-Saxon Life • Old English is the common language • Tribal wars common • Pagan religion • Organized tribal hierarchy

Anglo-Saxon Pagan Beliefs • Wyrd (fate) determined their destiny • To attain immortality you must be Remembered after death for what you did on Earth –Scop can help you attain immortality

Christian vs. Pagan Beliefs • God Determines Destiny • Immortality through salvation • Worship 1 God • Wyrd (fate) determines destiny • Immortality= remembrance • Worship many gods

Christian vs. Pagan Beliefs • Beowulf was originally told by a Pagan scop, but first written down by a Christain scribe, probably a priest. • It ends up being a blending of both Pagan and Christian beliefs.

Anglo-Saxon Gods • 3 Days of our week are named for Anglo-Saxon Pagan gods –Tuesday = Tiu –Wednesday = Woden –Friday = Fria

Conversion to Christianity • 597 A. D. St. Augustine of Canterbury arrives in Kent • Converted King Ethelbert • Strategy: convert Anglo-Saxon kings who would then convert people • By 650 A. D. most of England is Christian

Christianity’s Importance • Advanced literacy—how? why? • Influenced literature— how? why?

Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy • King • Lord a. k. a. “loaf ward” (guardian of the bread) • Earl--ruling warlords w/sworn allegiance to king • Freeman—Earl gave churl freedom & enough land for churl’s family

Anglo-Saxon Tribal Hierarchy (cont. ) • Churl (serf)- servants who work the land in exchange for military protection, food, shelter. Cannot be a warrior. • Thrall (slaves)—military prisoners or undesirable

See Princess Bride Clip You killed my father; prepare to die!

Wergild Was the Way of Life • Word means “man price” • Heroic code to avenge wrong you or your kin suffered at the hands of enemy. • Avenge in 2 ways – Enemy pays you gold or land – You kill enemy or whatever vengeance you deem necessary

Comitatus: the Warrior’s Code • Comitatus—Latin term for the mutual loyalty between a king and his knights • Warriors pledged to protect and defend their lord at any cost, even their very lives. • The chief fought for victory, the followers fought for the chief.

Comitatus: the Warrior’s Code • On battlefield, disgrace for chief to be surpassed by his followers • Disgraceful for warrior if king dies and warrior doesn’t—meant a life of infamy and shame

Is Comitatus still alive today? The Patriot clip Scene # 25

The Mead Hall • Drink Mead • Eat • Sleep • Planned War • Entertain

Check out 13 th Warrior

Anglo-Saxon Scop • Poet performers • Sing/chant for hours • Accompanied by harp • Oral literature, not written

Why was the Scop such an important member of Anglo-Saxon society?

Characteristics of Anglo. Saxon Poetry • Alliteration—repetition of initial consonant sound • Caesura—mid-line pause • Rhyme or syllables not important • Formal pattern of word stresses • Kennings—poetic use of 2 nouns to name something

Characteristics of Anglo. Saxon Poetry Alliteration—repetition of initial consonant sound Sally sells seashells by the seashore Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran

Characteristics of Anglo. Saxon Poetry Caesura—mid-line pause all the graybeards whispered together all the gray beards, whispered together

Characteristics of Anglo. Saxon Poetry Kennings—poetic use of 2 nouns to name something gray beards she-wolf heaven’s candle

End of Anglo-Saxon Era • Anglo-Saxon society peeks in 8 th Century • c. a. 793 A. D. Danish/Viking Invasions • 1066 Battle of Hastings ended Anglo-Saxon England Anglo. Norman England begins