TODAY IN CLASS. We started Beowulf for real--you have the first packet (dubbed packet A), and we got started in class. Second period, I apologize for not remembering my own formatting and the ensuing confusion. But from now on there should be no difficulties.
We're reading Beowulf for the action-packed story, for ways in which the literature shows the history and culture of the people, for some of the litarary aspects, and for its values (what does/does not constitute heroic behavior and the qualities of a hero.
To recap: Shild, a great hero who came to Denmark as an abandoned child, ruled powerfully for many years, fathered an heir (Beo) who will succeed him, and was given an impressive ship's burial when he died. His life came full circle: he arrived from over the water, and in death he was sent back to the sea.
His son Beo then ruled with success, had four children, and among them, Hrothgar will be the one who will figure most prominently into our story.
HOMEWORK
Complete reading sections 1-7 in the hand-out (the original poem was not divided in any way, but for convenience, some translations are divided into sections or chapters). For Chapter 1 (starting at line 86) and for Chapter 2, ANNOTATE, right on your hand-out. It is perfectly OK to use the annotations to as questions or to note that which you do NOT know and need to follow up on in class. Continue reading 3-7, but I won't check for annotations (of course, you're still free to comment/question as "notes to self" to figure out later.
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