Monday - Halloween!!!!

Today, we are going to look at the answers from FIT 2 and begin to discuss how Gawain and the Green Knight compares with Beowulf.

Then, I will give you time to finish your projects on FIT 1 and FIT 2. 

If we have time we will begin to look at FIT 3. 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

QUESTIONS FOR SECTION 2

Fit 2 (or section 2).

1) Look at the progression of each stanza in this section and briefly list/discuss in order what every stanza is about.

2) Look at the motif of games and discuss how it works in this section.

3) Other than the pentangle describe a symbol in this section and relate it to a theme. Discuss how this symbol reinforces the theme.

4) How is Gawain different in this section as compared to the last?

5) Discuss the setting.

We will also be breaking into groups and reviewing FIT I and FIT II.

You can either do the FIT as a serious of snapshot photos that retell the story,  or a "REDUCED" RT, or a play-by-play basketball or baseball game.  

Sir Gawain

Today we are going to outline the four sections (briefly) of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight read and discuss part 1.  Your homework is to summarize part 1, create a list of characters, and examine the importance of a) the beheading contest, and b) the color green.


Other questions to answer:


1) When and where does the story start?  Why is the time of year important?
2) How is both the King and Queen described?
3) How does the Green Knight behave?  What is the tone of his voice?  List some things he says.
4) How is Gawain humble in this section?
5) How do the guests act after the Green Knights leaves.

NEW VOCABULARY 


Courtliness
Sedately
Personable
Accrue
Malady
Entreaty
Manifest
Moras
Slake
Prehensile

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Today, we will start reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  You will have to compare it to Beowulf either by character, theme, symbol, or structure.  You will do this in a short video.  As we read you will need to answer study questions. 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Chivalry
THE THIRTEEN RULES OF CHIVALRY KNOWN AS THE QUEST
1. A TRUE KNIGHT must be a gentleman, yet not fail in duty.
2. A TRUE KNIGHT must uphold the Dignity of Men and Women,
remembering that all are born free and equal in Dignity and Rights.
3. A TRUE KNIGHT’s manner of living is an example to the young.
4. A TRUE KNIGHT shall at no time act outrageously nor do murder or be
cruel in any way to man or beast.
5. A TRUE KNIGHT respects and defends the rights of all men and women to
hold and practice religious beliefs other than his own.
6. A TRUE KNIGHT takes no part in wrongful quarrel, but at all times
supports the lawful rights of all men and women.
7. A TRUE KNIGHT’s word is his bond.
8. A TRUE KNIGHT must be honorable in all things and know good from evil.
9. A TRUE KNIGHT must be of modest demeanor and shall not seek worship
of himself.
10. A TRUE KNIGHT must seek out such Quests as lead to the protection of
the oppressed and never fail in Charity, Fidelity, and the Truth.
11. A TRUE KNIGHT speaks evil of no man. A slanderous tongue brings shame
and disgrace to an Honorable Knight.
12. A TRUE KNIGHT never betrays a trust of confidence given to him by a
brother Knight.
13. A TRUE KNIGHT must so order his life that by his contribution, the people
of the world may hope to live together in greater peace and tolerance.

Compare the above to GAWAIN:


The poem describes Gawain's armor in detail. He carries a red shield that has a pentangle painted on its front. The pentangle is a token of truth. Each of the five points are linked and locked with the next, forming what is called the endless knot. The pentangle is a symbol that Gawain is faultless in his five senses, never found to fail in his five fingers, faithful to the five wounds that Christ received on the cross, strengthened by the five joys that the Virgin Mary had in Jesus (The Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption), and possesses brotherly love, pure mind and manners, and compassion most precious. The inside of the shield is adorned with an image of the Virgin Mary to make sure that Gawain never loses heart

The Pentangle
1. "Fiue wyttez" (five senses): may indicate that Gawain did not sin through sensual indulgence, but cf. "fyue wyttez" in 2193 (st. 88), where wyttez have most to do with intelligence, ability to understand a situation, etc.
2. "Fyue fyngres" (five fingers): no special significance is apparent here; may signify manual competence or physical strength. Some critics refer to the use in some devotional manuals of the image of the five-fingered hand.
3. "Fyue woundez" (Five Wounds of Christ): a typical subject of meditation; here Gawain's fealty (Borroff) or faith (Tolkien, Vantuono) is said to depend on them. The original afyaunce vpon folde 'trust upon earth/in the world' may be understood as "trustworthiness" if we see the outward-directed virtue as reflecting something inside Gawain.
4. "Fyue joyez" (Five Joys of Mary): a variable list, but usually Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, Assumption; here Gawain's force (Borroff) or valour (Tolkien) or bravery (Vantuono) is said to derive from them (forsnes 'fortitude' in the original).
5. The "fyft fyue" are the social virtues (generosity, good fellowship, cleanness, courtesy, compassion).

Things to know for TEST

BEOWULF STUDY GUIDE:

Answer the following questions on your own paper

1. Describe the following characters:

*Hrothgar

*Grendal

*Beowulf

*Shield Sheafson

*Wulfgar

*Ecgtheow

2. Describe Heorot
3. What is important about the descriptions of Shield Sheafson?  What was his childhood like?  What was has burial like?
4. Discuss the manner in which Beowulf addresses the sentinel guarding the coast?  What is odd about it?
5. Give two reasons Beowulf comes to Denmark.
6. Why does Grendal attack Heorot?
7. How is Heorot symbolized before Grendal’s coming?
8. How long has Heorot remained empty?
9. What is the significance of Grendal being descended from Cain?
10. Give four examples of Kennings in the story.
11. Give four examples of Alliteration in the story.
12. Discuss wergild and how it has worked so far in the story.
13. Discuss how the following themes have appeared in the story: Loyalty, Reputation, good vs. evil, Christianity vs. Paganism, role of women, role of Kings, role of the Warrior, Beowulf as a anti-war poem.  Give examples of scenes that back up each

14.  How does Beowulf become king?

15.  Who are the Geats sworn enemies?

16.  What are some of Beowulf’s heroic exploits after Grendel and before the dragon?
17.  How does Pride get the best of Beowulf?
18. Which of Hygelac’s sons was killed by his brother?  What theme does this reinforced?
19. How does the role of the warrior vs. the role of the king work in these pages?
20. What purpose does the comparison between Beowulf and Siegmund serve? The comparison between Beowulf and Hermod?
21. Why is the story of Finn included just before Welthow appears?
22. Describe the lake.
23. What does Hrothgar warn Beowulf about in his speech?

24.  Why are their ancestors so important to the warriors in Beowulf?

25.   Identify and discuss the Christian influences on the poem.

26.   Identify and discuss the Viking/Scandinavian elements in the poem.

27.   Discuss the code of loyalty in Beowulf. How is the society structured? What is important to the warriors in Beowulf? What

qualities did they feel a good king should possess? What do they consider “courageous”?

28.   Discuss the battle between good and evil in the poem. Who represents good? Who represents evil?

29.   Discuss the role of women in this patriarchal world. Cite examples from the text.

30.   Is Beowulf a hero? Why/why not?

31.   Discuss the role of reputation in Beowulf. Cite examples from the text.

32.   Compare and contrast the battles with Grendel and the dragon. Consider the cause of each monster’s attack, Beowulf ’s

motivation for countering the attack, Beowulf ’s battle preparations, and the conclusions of each battle.

33.   Discuss the behavior of Beowulf ’s men in each of these battles.

34.   What attitudes and actions lead to Beowulf ’s downfall? Defend your answer with examples.

Beowulf Essays

Beowulf Essays will be due on 10/21.  Please work on one at a time.

1st Essay will be due on Friday.  2nd on next Tuesday.  3rd.  Friday 10/14.  4th Tuesday 4/18.  5th 10/21. 

Unit Test will be next MONDAY.

Here is the rubric you will be graded on:
                                      (A)                           (B)                          (C)

FOCUS	Hook, Thesis Statement, Order of development are fresh and original, and connected to a theme.  Thesis is narrow and manageable.  Order is precise and helps develop one clear idea.  Hook and thesis are connected.	Hook, Thesis Statement and Order are present in the first paragraph.	There is a thesis statement but either it is not clear, or the order of development and/or hook is missing.	No thesis statement
Examples and Analysis	The examples from the source (text) not only back up the thesis but are introduced, explained and analyzed. The analysis shows depth of thought and insight into the text.	The examples used back up the main ideas of the essay.  The analysis offers some insight into the theme, but the depth is not necessary original.	The examples used don’t necessarily back up the thesis.  They are summative in nature and not exact.  The analysis doesn’t offer much if any depth into the text or is merely plot summary.	No Analysis and/or Examples
Voice/Word Choice	Point of view is evident.  Clear sense of audience.  Ideas are original.  Work is engaging.  Precise, fresh and original words.	Some sense of audience.  Conveys ideas to reader.  Ideas are not necessary original.  Uses favorite words correctly.  Some experiment with new words or SAT words.	Paper lacks energy.  Essay lacks focus and/or doesn’t persuade.  Language relies on repetition of the same words or there is an overuse of “to be” verbs.	Voice is not apparent, or doesn’t necessary seem that of the author.
Mechanics	No mistakes	One to five small mistakes that do not affect the reading of the essay	Five to ten mistakes	Numerous mistakes that impair reading

Beowulf

Dialectical Journals should be finished today.  Also, I'd like to discuss your five essays and have you begin on one.  First, let's discuss thesis statements:

Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement directs all of the ideas, quote selection, and commentary in your essay. Therefore, a muddled or imprecise thesis statement will lead to an unclear or meaningless essay.

A thesis statement is NOT:

1. An abstract concept. For example, “Greed” is not a thesis statement.

2. A general “universal” truth. For example, the following sentence is not a thesis statement: “For thousands of years, man has been greedy.”

A thesis statement IS a statement that provides direction for the analysis of a theme or idea presented by a particular text. Therefore, in order to construct an effective thesis statement, you must first determine what a text is suggesting about an abstract concept (like greed, for example).

Your thesis statement will address an abstract concept PLUS the evaluation of that concept through a particular text.

A thesis statement for “The Pardoner’s Tale” might address the abstract concept of greed as it is handled in the story. The first two examples are NOT thesis statements. The third one is a complete thesis statement:

a. Greed is something that man has struggled with for centuries, as demonstrated in “The Pardoner’s Tale” by Chaucer. (Abstract Concept Only)

b. “The Pardoner’s Tale,” written by Chaucer, is a story about how three men kill one another while looking for Death. (Plot Summary)

c. “The Pardoner’s Tale,” written by Chaucer, suggests that the “deadly” sin of greed is stronger than any oath of friendship, and will ultimately lead those who give into its allure to their own destruction.

So - if you wanted to write an essay about the character Beowulf you might link him with the ideal role of a warrior, or discuss his failure as a king due to the tragic flaw of pride, or discuss how he reinforces the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture - but whatever you discuss it needs to be a STATEMENT that can be argued.  

Each essays is worth 50 points.  Your dialectical journal is worth 50 points.