“Heroes Today, Gone Tomorrow”

• Read• Write

• Create• Discuss

“Heroes Today, Gone Tomorrow”• Read the article by Leonard Pitts.• Write a summary statement of Pitt’s argument.• Create a personal definition of “hero” with

supporting evidence from your own experience, observation, or literature.

• Discuss as a class the concept of “hero.”– Do you have heroes?– If so, who are they?– What characteristics do your heroes exhibit?

Look who has her Smart Board! Whoop Whoop!!!

Anglo Saxon Period449-1066

With a partner:

• Name at least two groups who invaded the British Isles. (brownie points for naming them all)

• Name the only king in England’s history to be referred to as the “Great” and tell why he was called the “Great.”

• What type of tribes were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes?

• Explain how England came to be known as “England.”

• How was literature passed down during this time period?

• What are the two types of poetry prominent during this time period?

Society

• Arranged around:– Family

– Clan

– Tribe

– Kingdom

Society

• Two classes– Eorls (pronounced

“earls”)• Ruling class

– Ceorls (pronounced “churls”)

• Bondsmen whose ancestors were captured by the tribe

Society

• Government– King

• Had absolute power• Relied on advice of

others

– Witan• “wise men”• Served as formal

advisory group to the king

Anglo Saxon Period

•Anglo-Saxons–Drove the natives from the eastern, central, and southern areas

–Became known as “Angles Land” or England

–Germanic language developed into “Angle-ish” or English

English Language History• England originally settled by Celts

• Briefly occupied by Romans

– 0-400 A.D.

– Only unchanged word: aqueduct

• Later invaded by 3 Germanic tribes

– Angles

– Saxons

– Jutes

• Original Language of British Isles

– Celtic

– Replaced by Anglo-Saxon language

• Old English(450-1150)– Anglo-Saxon base– Borrowed Scandinavian words– Latin– Left-over Celtic words– Written form – “Runic”

• Middle English(1150-1500)– Developed after 1066

• England invaded/conquered by Normans

– Blend of• Norman French & Old English

• Modern English– 16th Century-today– Dropped “th” and added “s” (loveth

to loves)

Anglo Saxons & Religion

• Anglo Saxons were Pagans•Paganism= polytheistic religion;

• Fate vs. Personal Freedom•Christians believe that all individuals have the freedom to make their own choice

• Early Anglo Saxons worshipped ancient gods of German mythology

Anglo Saxons & Mead Hall

• All {social} events began and ended at Mead Hall– Mead: Fermented beverages made from honey (Think of beer made from honey)

• The hall was built by the local lord or king for the entertainment of the Thanes– Thanes: warriors and soldiers loyal to the local lord or king

Anglo Saxons & Mead Hall• Feasting Hall• Great Hall of the King• Safest Place in the Kingdom• Appearance

– Rectangular– Pointed roof– Middle trench on the inside for fires

– Two long, low tables on each side of the trench

– Supported by rows of columns

The Anglo Saxon Man

• Athletic• Strong• Seafaring• Adventurous• Strong belief in fair play

Anglo Saxons Ideals

• Loyalty to Lord or King• Great love of personal freedom• Respect for women• Love for glory• Honored the truth

Anglo Saxons Literature• Mostly oral stories, especially riddles– Written Poetry (Beowulf)

•Doesn’t Rhyme•Uses alliteration•Uses Kennings

– Metaphor often hyphenated ex. Whales-path= sea

– Symbolism with Seasons•Spring: Youth•Summer: Adult•Autumn: Old Age•Winter: Death

Beowulf

• Oldest existing English literature

• Reflects Anglo-Saxon values– Courage– Physical strength– Loyalty to a tribal king

• Form – Epic– Long, narrative poem– Passed down orally –

written later

– Characteristics• Characters of noble

birth/possess supernatural powers

• Epic hero • Action is on an

immense scale and involves fate of a whole society

• Gods or semi-divine creatures come to the aid of one side or the other

• Theme is announced at the opening

• Style is noble and majestic

• Characters speak ceremoniously in long, formal speeches

Poetry devices• Caesura – rhythmic breaks in the middle of

lines; pause for a breath• Alliteration – words begin with same consonant• Kennings – creative, riddle-like phrases

replacing nouns– Candle of the sky – sun– Sea-garment – sail– Bone chamber – body– Can you think of one on your own?

• Metaphor, simile, personification, foreshadowing

• Boasting

• Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration

• Allusion – reference to other works

• 4 hard beats per line

• Poems were either heroic (praising the achievement of warriors) or elegiaic (lamenting the death of a loved one or loss of the past)

Imagine that you are sent away forever from your home, friends, and

community. Imagine a place of exile (wilderness, foreign country, sea, space, etc.). Put yourself there

permanently without contact with the ones you love. In order of importance,

what things and people would you yearn for the most? What feelings

would you have? What dreams and hopes would help sustain you?

Put yourselves into three groups.

You are going to:

•Read

•Identify

•Answer

•Create

&

•Share

• Read the poem you’ve selected and then:– Identify

• two kennings and explain their meaning• 5 examples of alliteration• 4 caesuras in the poem (if present)• Any metaphors (if present)

– Answer the following questions in complete sentences:• What makes this poem an elegy?• In your opinion, what parts of the poem are the most moving? Give

at least 4 examples.• What lesson does the poem teach about suffering? Use the

graphic organizer on page 30 to help answer this question.– Create (on Monday) a visual representation of your poem

• Comic strip, collage, picture, etc.