NEFLT Study Materials

Transcription

1 NEFLT Study Materials Projekt Síť vzdělavatelů učitelů cizích jazyků NEFLT registrační číslo CZ.1.07/2.4.00/ je součástí IPRM Ústí nad Labem Centrum. Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky.

2 Medieval England Anglo-Saxons ( ) BEOWULF Presentation accompanying a collection of texts: Enjoy Reading and Learn English NEFLT 2013, Ústí nad Labem

3 Historical and Social Background Britain s first inhabitants: The Iberians (Stonehenge) The Celts (Celtic language), known as Britons; Characteristic features: tribes, kings or queens, round wooden houses, villages. The Romans came in 55 B.C. The Britons (led by Queen Boadicea) defeated. Only a few traces left. New invaders in 5th century: The Anglo-Saxons (the Angles, Saxons and Jutes (from contemp. areas of Holland, Southern Denmark and Western Germany) King Alfred also had to fight with the Vikings

4 What should you remember about the Anglo-Saxons? They lived in small villages, their huts were made of mud, wood and straw. They often assembled in the house of their lord (mead-hall), the place of celebrations of their victorious fights, drinking, gambling; Some of them used the runic alphabet

5 What else should you remember about the Anglo-Saxons? The order in the village was kept by the THANE, the most important person in the Anglo-Saxon village. Anglo-Saxons were pagans (although their predecessors, the Romans, were Christians) At the end of the 6th century St. Augustine brought Christianity to England.

6 The Runic Alphabet Source:

7 The Mead-Hall in Beowulf was called Heorot /heiərɔt/ Beowulf comes to Heorot to protect the warriors attacked by Grendel every night The hall of all halls with wide gables and towers, decorated with antlers and gold It is a beautiful hall that serves as the perfect place for the king It is also a meeting place for the Danish people A seat of government, the residence for the thanes, a place of celebration/ a feasting hall See the Reconstructed Mead-Hall at

8 A Reconstructed Viking Longhouse A reconstructed Viking Age longhouse (28.5 metres long). Source:

9 Basic Facts of Anglo-Saxon Literary Background The language: OLD English (only 15% per cent of Anglo-Saxon words have been preserved, e.g. mann, cild, hus) The most frequent genre: POETRY. It was sung by travelling minstrels (scops), which means that it was transferred orally. Strong musical elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry: RHYTHM and ALITERATION. The best known work: BEOWULF (3,182 lines), its manuscript dates back approx. to the year 1000.

10 Beowulf, a heroic epic poem with numerous digressions (passages that slow down the action; odbočky) alliteration and kennings precise descriptions the historical setting, the way of life of the Geats and pagan and Christian elements that are mixed in this poem.

11 BEOWULF tells the story of the hero Beowulf who fights with supernatural creatures (Grendel, Grendel s mother and the Fire dragon). Its main hero, Beowulf, comes to Denmark to help King Hrothgar in his battle against the monsters. The action takes place in Geatland (now Sweden) and in Denmark (one Danish island).

12 This long epic poem reflects the following features of Anglo Saxon life: - tribal society - life in mead-halls - fight against enemies - honour - heroism

13 Extract from the Beowulf Manuscript Deposited in the Library of the British Museum The title page of Beowulf manuscript (Public domain) 0px-Beowulf.firstpage.jpeg

14 Source: Robert Zemeckis film Beowulf (2007) Who is Beowulf? -a hero of the epic poem -an ideal warrior -also a brave man with superhuman qualities (the only one who can overcome the superhuman creatures - Grendel, Grendel s mother, the fire dragon). Traits of Beowulf s Character --he is honorable --loyal - strong and brave

15 Who is Grendel? Grendel -is a large superhuman creature that devours humans -resembles a man (has even some intellectual qualities) -terrorizes Heorot the mead-hall built by King Hrothgar (12 years) -kills warriors who spend the night in the hall -a spoiler, God s enemy, the Prince of Darkness -a creature with Cain s brand on the forehead Source:

16 One of the best-known extracts Beowulf Mortally Wounds Grendel opens with the reference to Beowulf s warriors, how skilful they were in battles and how bravely they protected their chief; how they were seeking Beowulf s enemies, e.g.grendel and Grendel s Mother, the wicked an cruel superhuman beings, representatives of hellish forces, the foes of God, marked by the Cain s brand. The extract you are going to read describes how Beowulf mortally wounded the creature, he caused a mighty wound on Grendel s shoulder and his sinews cracked. Grendel, death-sick, had to seek his den in the dark moor. Now read a short extract and notice some of these elements (alliteration, kennings or mixture of pagan and Christian elements).

17 Christianity With Christianity Latin learning was brought to this land. Best scholars: Beda Venerabilis (The Venerable Bede) + his Latin chronicle (Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation) King Alfred the Great, who succeeded in defeating and keeping the Vikings under control The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

18 The Viking Raids in 9th and 10th centries If you wish to know more about the Vikings, visit the Jorvik Centre in York and look at the resources they offer for educational purposes. Prepare a class project about The Vikings, their raids and attacks on holy places in Britain. Work in pairs or groups. Source: