Honors English 3MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013

Agenda

Bellringer – Short Answer/Recall from notesBeowulf

In-class reading focus: Elements of an epic hero

Guided Reading Questions Ongoing

Bellringer: Without looking at your notes, write down as many characteristics of an epic hero as you can…

• The hero, generally a male, is of noble birth or high position, and often of great historical or legendary importance.

• The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society.

• The hero performs courageous—even superhuman—deeds that reflect values of the era

Characteristics of an epic

• The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people.

• The setting is vast in scope, often involving more than one nation.

• The poet uses formal diction and a serious tone.

• Major characters often deliver long formal speeches.

Characteristics of an epic

• The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands.

• The poem reflects timeless values such as courage and honor.

• The poem treats universal themes such as good and evil or life and death.

Characteristics of an epic

Reading BeowulfAs we read, track the details in the text that

fulfill the requirements of the epic hero.Draw a table on a separate sheet of paper (Left column = characteristics of hero; right column = textual evidence of Beowulf as a hero…INCLUDE LINE NUMBERS!)

Table will be collected at the end of class.

Guided Reading Question work should be ongoing, based on class readings…quiz later this week

Complete text available online at http://www.scuc.txed.net/webpages/cmatthews/files/beowulf.pdf