Beowulf Theme and Conclusion

1. Beowulf Theme and Conclusion Enter the classroom silently. Pick up your daily handout. Place your Socratic Seminar questions on your desk. Clear your desk of all materials. Wait silently for instructions.

2. Objectives We will be able to: justify the development of multiple themes throughout Beowulf by selecting support from the poem. We will be able to: create an advertisement for a new Beowulf movie based on a theme used throughout this poem and in various versions of the epic.

3. Final Reading of Beowulf Student popcorn reading. Our focus is on theme.

4. Themes Revisited: Name that Character, Name that Theme!

5. Beowulf Themes • The Importance of Establishing Identity • Heroic Code • Good Warrior and Good King • Christianity and Fate • Alienation or Loneliness

6. The Importance of Establishing Identity • The Importance of Establishing Identity: Characters in the poem are unable to talk about their identity or even introduce themselves without referring to family lineage. The poem emphasizes kinship bonds. • While heritage may provide models for behavior, a good reputation is the key to solidifying your place in society.

7. Heroic Code • Heroic code values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity and political skill in kings; and good reputation in all people. • The code is important to warrior societies to understand their relationships with the world and the menaces lurking beyond. • Work to gain honor

8. Good Warrior and Good King • Throughout the poem, Beowulf matures from a brave warrior to a wise leader. His transition demonstrates that a different set of values comes with each role. • Whereas the youthful Beowulf, having nothing to lose, desires personal glory, the aged Hrothgar, having much to lose, seeks protection for his people.

9. Christianity and Fate • There are many references in the poem to the Christian belief in one almighty God who takes a personal interest in human affairs. Beowulf and Hrothgar give praise to God for the defeat of Grendel. The outcome of battles is attributed to the judgment of God, and Beowulf puts his trust in God. • However, Christianity is only mentioned because of the time period in which Beowulf was written since the setting does not include the Christian tradition. • That’s were the lines such as “Fate goes as fate must” (455) fit in.

10. Alienation or Loneliness • Beowulf is the hero who is alienated from society. He is not an ordinary member of the community, and he has no close friends or family members who he can share his problems with. • Beowulf thrives on this alienation as he chooses to enter battle alone.

11. Theme Graphic Organizers Connection between theme and epic hero Use of evidence to support our themes Development of themes throughout text Themes building on each other

17. Advancement of theme • New details, events, quotes and/ or actions throughout the text that continue to contribute to this theme • Summary of Theme • How all the contributing details emerge to solidify this theme by the end of the text: Introduction of theme Details, events, quotes, and/or actions in beginning of text that introduce this theme:

18. GROUP WORK You are working in groups of no more than four students. You are working quietly and only with those students that sit near you. No one is to leave their seat or call out. You are to be completing your graphic organizer on your theme. You have 10 minutes to do so.

21. Socratic Seminars Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions, prize inquiry over information, and discussion over debate “The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.”- Effie Israel Connection to Class Goal: College Bound Connection to Senior Exit Project

22. Socratic Seminar Logistics/ Norms • You have to be active in the conversation • Listen, and include your input. • One voice at a time • Respectful tone and language • Use text evidence. Include line numbers • Always explain yourself. • Snaps • Fishbowl circle

23. Socratic Seminar Norms Socratic Etiquette • We __________________ by looking at the speaker, taking notes, and NOT talking while another person is talking • We __________________ loudly enough for everyone to hear, asking questions, and making statements that enrich the discussion.  We __________________ deeply about the ideas and values with an open mind.  We____________________________________ by citing specific page/line numbers to support our point of view.  We __________________ each other.  We __________________ together.

26. How to write an effective Socratic Seminar question Question Stems Question Examples Topics Goals

27. Student Discovery… Modeling of Preparation for Socratic Seminar Write a question on note card Participate in Socratic Seminar Independently reflect on your presentation Discuss strengths and weaknesses of our Socratic Seminar

28. Reminders • Expectations for tomorrow; Work for Tomorrow • Due Thursday: • Thesis/ Purpose Statements • Letters to Judges • Socratic Seminar Prep • Modern Beowulf Writing Assignment • Due Friday: • Beowulf Unit Guide