Beowulf: Hero of Heroes

"Beowulf" is the oldest surviving English epic poem, written in the 7th or 8th century, depicting the heroic journey of Scandinavian hero Beowulf to free Denmark by battling the ogre Grendel, becoming the king of Geatland, and eventually taking on a fire-breathing dragon. 

The manuscript is housed in the British Museum. Written in Old English with available translations online, the identity of the poet remains unknown. 

As the personification of the Anglo-Saxon warrior hero, "Beowulf" holds great historical value, preserving cultural aspects, warrior codes, and the society of its time. It stands out for its captivating storytelling and poetic structure.

Throughout the course, we will explore a novelized translation of the poem while also delving into the original text and excerpts from various translations, providing a comprehensive understanding of this captivating piece of literature.
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"He comes out of the darkness, moving in on his victims in deadly silence. When he leaves, a trail of blood is all that remains. He is a monster, Grendel, and all who know of him live in fear. Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, knows something must be done to stop Grendel. But who will guard the great hall he has built, where so many men have lost their lives to the monster while keeping watch? Only one man dares to stand up to Grendel's fury."   —from the novelization version A NEW TELLING by Robert Nye
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HOW WILL TEACHING/LEARNING TAKE PLACE
 o  Self-guided reading (see reading schedule)
 o  Guided questions, summaries, open-ended questions, observations, discussions
 o  Weekly activities

INTERACTIONS
 o  Outside of class: Students will have access to teacher 24/7 should they have questions or need further guidance
 o  Outside of class: Students will have access to video clips, maps, and further readings to enhance experience
 o  Outside of class: Students should be prepared (and know how to) post to the main class section (where everyone can see) and to their own section (where only the teacher can see). 
 o  During class: Students need to come to each session having read the assigned pages ready to engage in conversation about the language, plot, characters, etc.  They should also be prepared to challenge or question other students — and even the teacher — should their interpretation(s) vary.  
 o  During class: Lecture/discussion will be supported with PowerPoint slides

CLASS STRUCTURE/LEARNING GOALS
o First part of class: discussion on select summaries, readings, guided questions, as well as addressing student-crafted questions
o Second part: setting up the focus of the week and an activity