Station 1

Epic Hero Evidence

READ Create
Beowulf is to England what Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is to Japan, and While reading Beowulf, you will be able to
Homer’s Odyssey is to ancient Greece. Like other important firsts in literature infer what the Anglo- Saxons valued in a
around the world, Beowulf is considered the first great work of the English hero during their time. But for now, think
national literature. about what our society values in a hero.

Beowulf is ~epic~ in every sense of the word because an epic is a long Using the letters EPIC, create an acrostic
narrative poem that traces the adventures of a great hero—an EPIC hero. poem that reveals what you value in a
modern-day, real-life hero.

E Embodies and protects community values

Example:
E- Energized to…
P- Passionate about…

P Possesses supernatural traits I-

C-

I Identifies a need to go on a quest Memorize and Recite

The characteristics of an epic hero will
be important throughout this unit. Recite
the EPIC hero definition in the “read”
C Carries themselves with confidence section until you have it memorized.
 Station 2
Anglo-Saxon Namesakes
READ Play
Despite the fact that the Anglo-Saxon period ended over 1,000 years ago,
many Old English names are still in use. Although some have been modernized Imagine what your name might sound like if
(for example, Ælfrd is now Alfred), the ancient names are still recognizable. you were identified by a location,
Chad, Edgar, Edmund, Edward, Godwin, Harold, Wilfred, Audrey, Edith, Hilda, occupation or talent. What would your
and Mildred are some Anglo-Saxon names still used today. name be?

The Anglo-Saxons did not have hereditary surnames. Instead, they were simply Practice pronouncing the characters in
known by a personal name or nickname. However, as the population grew, it Beowulf: Beowulf (BAY-oh-wolf), Grendel
became necessary to add identifiers. Communities distinguished between (gren-dl), Hrothgar (HROTH-gar),
people by adding details to names such as location, occupation, or talent. Wiglaf(WEE-lahf)
Anglo-Saxon names would have sounded like, Chad of Castleford, Wilfred the
Weaver, or Hilda the Huntsman.

The invasion of the Normans in 1066 had a significant impact on the whole of
Britain including the names of those who lived there. Prior to the Norman
Conquest, 85 percent of names were Old English, with Godwin and Alwin
being the most popular. However, just 5% of names were Old English 150 years
later.

The causes for the shift from Anglo-Saxon to Norman names are simple to
trace. To begin, King William replaced nearly all the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy Infer and Discuss
with Norman lords. The few remaining prominent Anglo-Saxons — those who
did not run away or become enslaved abroad – tried to display their Though scholars debate origin of the
allegiance to the new monarch by giving their offspring Norman names. name Beowulf, use what you have
learned in this article to give your theory
Sources: HistoryExtra.com “What’s in a name? A brief history of baby name trends from the about what the name Beowulf might
Anglo-Saxons to today”, BBC.com “What's In a Name? Your Link to the Past" and Regia.org stand for or represent.
 Station 3
Transcription Troubles
READ Consider
Beowulf began in the oral epic tradition meaning that it was told verbally Are you superstitious or just a little stitious?
through the generations of Anglo-Saxons until it was written down around the
Common Surviving Superstitions Point
year 700. No one knows the original storyteller nor the first person to transcribe
the epic, but scholars surmise that it was probably first recorded and Knock on wood 1
embellished by a monk. Toss salt over shoulder 1

The biggest clue that supports this theory is that Christian teachings and Beware of black cats 1
references are included in the only surviving manuscript which dates around Don’t walk under a ladder 1
the year 1,000 and is safeguarded in the British Museum of London.
Four Leaf Clover 1
The Anglo-Saxons were pagans who believed in many gods, so when this epic Lucky horseshoe 1
poem was first recited around the fire of the mead hall, it would have Lucky charm 1
recounted pagan traditions and beliefs rather than the Christian elements
that were added later. Wish on an eyelash 1
Shooting stars 1
The Anglo-Saxons were superstitious and believed in the power of lucky
charms. They believed that rhymes, potions, and gems could protect them Wishbone 1
from evil spirits and illness. The Anglo-Saxons were obsessed with fate
and luck. On a scale of 1-10, how much are
The king of the Anglo-Saxon gods was Woden who had two pet wolves and a you?
horse with eight legs. Some of their other gods include Thunor, god of thunder
and Frige, goddess of love. Interestingly, Frige gave her name to a day of the Brainstorm
week. Do you love Frige day or what is now called Friday? Though modern-day superhero stories may
not display intentional religious overtones,
As you read Beowulf, note the unique mixture of pagan examples and what are some moral lessons weaved
Christian additions. throughout popular Marvel movies?
Sources: BBC Bitesize “What did the Anglo-Saxons believe?” and Elements of Literature “Beowulf”
Call out specific examples.
 Station 4
Fierce Females
READ Debate
Let your mind soar and brainstorm as many superhero stories as possible in the Who plays the most important role in
blink of an eye. What do these stories have in common? Besides being society, peaceweavers or warriors?
action-packed and mission-driven, most superhero stories are male-centric.
Share your thoughts and reasoning with the
Many heroic stories like Beowulf were recounted and recorded by men who group. Give specific examples.
emphasize male storylines. Therefore, it’s easy for readers to think that women
were secondary, unimportant figures.
Reflect
However, scholars, archeologists, and researchers have discovered evidence Would you consider yourself more of a
that suggests ancient society wasn’t as male dominated as stories like Beowulf peaceweaver, warrior, or combination of
lead us to believe. In fact, the women of the Anglo-Saxon time period both? Choose one trait from your less
arguably held more power in the years 410-1000AD than in the regressive years dominate side that you need to strengthen
that followed. in yourself.

Not only have burial sites unearthed ancient female fighters laid to rest with Peaceweaver Warrior
shields, daggers, and spears, but primary sources have revealed important
roles women played as peaceweavers and warriors alike. Cooperative Confident

Æthelflæd ,an influential Anglo-Saxon Queen, used her brain as well as her Adaptable Assertive
brute to battle the Vikings. She is unique in that she took on several roles within
her community. She was a mother, political figure, and negotiator-- all while Compromising Driven
simultaneously serving on the battlefield as a warrior.
Empathetic Disciplined
As you read Beowulf, consider the fierce female roles and what they reveal
about Anglo-Saxon values. Patient Brave
Sources: Stephanie Singh: “The Importance of Women in Anglo-Saxon Society as Portrayed through Merciful Persistent
Literature”, York University. History Extra “Aethelflaed: who was the warrior queen who crushed the
Vikings?”
 Station 5
Language Lessons
READ Look and Listen
Beowulf is the oldest recorded epic story in the English language. However, if
you heard the original tale, it might not sound like English at all! That’s
because it was first transcribed in Old English, the ancestor of Modern English.

Old English was spoken and recorded in England before year 1100. Scholars
classify Old English as a Germanic language. In contrast to Modern English,
Old English had three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) and a greater
proportion of strong verbs (oftentimes called irregular verbs in contemporary
grammar). For example, we now say help or helped whereas the
Anglo-Saxons would have used healp, helpan, hulpon, holpen.

In addition to more detailed descriptors, the Anglo-Saxons also enjoyed

language features that made their stories more verbally interesting. Here are Look at the only surviving manuscript of
some common poetic devices you will hear in Beowulf: Beowulf and see if you can make out any
of the Old English words. Listen to Old
English. Search: Beowulf in Old English
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
Alliteration
words: Then proudly setting the sun and the moon…
Find
Find an example of each poetic device in
A pause dividing words in a line of poetry giving a hard,
Caesura this passage:
chant-like rhythm
The monster of evil
Greedy and cruel tarried but little,
A metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for He drags off thirty of them, and devours them
Kenning Fell and frantic, and forced from their slumbers
a thing or name.
Thirty of thanemen; thence he departed
Leaping and laughing, his lair to return to,
Source: “Old English language” Britannica.com With surfeit of slaughter sallying homeward.
 Station 6
Dragon Diversity
READ Wonder
Beowulf is the earliest recording of vernacular European literature and the oldest
surviving epic poem in the English language. This 500 A.D. action-packed story tells If dragons aren’t real, then why are they
about a hero who goes on a noble quest. Along the way he faces monsters and mentioned in stories all over the world?
dragons using his supernatural powers to defeat evil.
From ancient China to the Aztecs Empire,
However, Beowulf is not the oldest epic of all time. Just like the wheel, writing, and dragon legends are a global phenomenon.
other wonderous firsts, this prize goes to the Sumerian civilization of Mesopotamia. This Yet, there’s never been a scientific discovery
historical region of Western Asia now occupies the area of present-day Iraq, Turkey, of a dragon.
Syria, Kuwait, and parts of Iran.
How could cultures from all over the world
This 2100 B.C. action-packed story revolves around Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king who is
have similar dragon stories?
characterized as one-third man and two-thirds otherworldly. He travels on a hero's
journey slaying dragon-like monsters, interacting with gods, and searching for the key
to immortality. Sound familiar? What could ancient civilizations mistake for a
dragon?
Beowulf is one of the most important relics in the English language, but it’s important
(and interesting!)to realize that similar heroic stories make up the cultural storyline of What could the characteristics of a dragon
societies all over the globe. There are hundreds of dragon stories from many different reveal about humankind?
places and cultures, but here are few:

Vritra from India- Described as a dragon-like entity in the ancient Aryan Vedic
literature, the mythical snake-like Vritra seeks dominion through destructive droughts.
Indra, God of thunderstorms and rain, faces Vritra in an epic battle.
Look
Mo’o from Hawaii- From indigenous Hawaii culture, Mo’o is a long black dragon-like
creature who lives in pools and aggressively guards freshwater sources. They are said Look at different dragon imagery from
to be shapeshifting, but once slain, their bodies become part of the Hawaii all of the world. Search “dragons around
landscape. the world.” Which dragon is your favorite
and why?
Sources: Evan Andrews “What is the oldest known piece of literature?” History.com, Meg Van Huygen
“9 Legendary Dragons From Around The World” Mental Floss
Name:

Station Stats: Check for understanding

Station 1: Station 4:
1. What is the definition of an epic poem? 6. The author’s purpose in the “Fierce Female” article is to…
A. An archaic and historically significant poem A. Persuade the reader that females were more important to
B. An impressive and popular poem Anglo-Saxon society than males
C. A long narrative poem B. To inform the reader that females played an important role in
D. A short unrhyming poem Anglo-Saxon society
C. To entertain the reader with fictional superhero stories about
2. What does the acronym EPIC represent regarding an epic hero? women
A. It stands for how amazing this poem is going to be D. To explain to the reader how to research Anglo-Saxon women
B. It stands for characteristics of an archetypical epic hero
C. It stands for the larger-than-life character of Beowulf Station 5:
D. It stands for the heroic Anglo-Saxons 7. “The man-ruler famous, the long-worthy atheling, sat very woful,”
is mostly an example of which Anglo-Saxon poetic device?
Station 2: A. Alliteration
3. What does the drastic change of names in England reveal about B. Caesura
history? C. Kenning
A. The nature of fads in baby names D. Old English
B. The nature of nomadic tribes like the Anglo-Saxons
C. The nature of conquering lands and establishing dominance 8. “sat very woful, suffered great sorrow, sighed for his liegemen” is
D. The nature of natural language change mostly an example of which Anglo-Saxon poetic device?
A. Alliteration
Station 3: B. Caesura
4. The Anglo-Saxons were once ____ who believed in ____ C. Kenning
A. Christians / God and the bible D. Old English
B. Pagans / Many gods, lucky charms, and gems
C. Agnostics/ Fate and the unknown 9. “Grendel struggled:—his grudges he cherished” is mostly an
D. Germans/ Law and order example of which Anglo-Saxon poetic device?
A. Alliteration
5. Once Beowulf was finally written down, it was used to … B. Caesura
A. Entertain readers and inform them about history C. Kenning
B. Entertain readers and explain the Anglo-Saxons D. Old English
C. Entertain readers and spread Christian values
D. Entertain readers and showcase Pagan beliefs Station 6:
10. The main idea in the “Dragon Diversity” article is…
A. English-centric stories are the root of all literature
B. Dragons are real and in stories all over the world
C. All cultures have important stories in their civilization timeline
D. All cultures have stories, but English ones are the most important