It turns out, John Leskow has officially joined our class. Welcomee!
Notes to add on:
-The Fight at Finsberg and Beowulf is significant in order to remember the glory days of the Danes.
-The Leader of the Danes at Finsberg had a sword put on his lap unsheathed because this foreshadows a call for revenge; time to draw blood.
- "Wheel of Fortune": What brings you to the top will soon bring you to the bottom, then back up again. (Danes and how they fell)
Tanya
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Class Notes 10/28/08
Today in class we had another Beowulf Review session.
Quote #3- The AS life and culture of quote #3 includes being known for your ancestory, the AS belief in demons, Christian/Pagan influence(Cain).
Poetic Forms- Caesura, Alliteration, Rhythm, Kenning, Stress
Why did the warriors come with Beowulf to the dragon's cave?
He wanted to be escorted, but he wanted to fight by himself. He wants an audience for the fight. He wants to prove himself.
Mythic Heroic Archetype- The entire poem (BW) is a battle against himself(always about the internal)
Beowulfs weakness=his pride
*Reminder, mythic heroic archetype story/poem does not need all 10 points.
Does Wiglaf ruin the archetype?
No, because it is merely a variation of the theme. BW should have asked for help all along...i.e. Saving Private Ryan
How long is BW with the Danes?
4 days
Is it possible to be a guide and a hero?
Yes. But it will take a lot of variation. Ex. Stephen King's book the Gun Slinger=hero looses his fingers and cannot carry out journey, guide becomes hero and hero becomes guide.
Does every community have a hero with extraordinary strength?
No, BW is exceptional, he has much more strength(physically and mentally)
Grendel-No weapons
GM-Sword
Dragon-Shield
Why does BW use weapons against GM?
It is all about teriitory. BW wants to make it a fair and equal fight. He must adapt to the specific situation.
Laz asked us about our opinions of the book...sadly, few answered.
If the Geats don't trust BW, why did they choose him to fight?
He was put on the spot to prove himself or die trying. He had the chance to make something of himself, so he did.
STUDY FOR THE TEST ON THURSDAY OR BE PREPARED TO FAIL!!!
John Leskow
Quote #3- The AS life and culture of quote #3 includes being known for your ancestory, the AS belief in demons, Christian/Pagan influence(Cain).
Poetic Forms- Caesura, Alliteration, Rhythm, Kenning, Stress
Why did the warriors come with Beowulf to the dragon's cave?
He wanted to be escorted, but he wanted to fight by himself. He wants an audience for the fight. He wants to prove himself.
Mythic Heroic Archetype- The entire poem (BW) is a battle against himself(always about the internal)
Beowulfs weakness=his pride
*Reminder, mythic heroic archetype story/poem does not need all 10 points.
Does Wiglaf ruin the archetype?
No, because it is merely a variation of the theme. BW should have asked for help all along...i.e. Saving Private Ryan
How long is BW with the Danes?
4 days
Is it possible to be a guide and a hero?
Yes. But it will take a lot of variation. Ex. Stephen King's book the Gun Slinger=hero looses his fingers and cannot carry out journey, guide becomes hero and hero becomes guide.
Does every community have a hero with extraordinary strength?
No, BW is exceptional, he has much more strength(physically and mentally)
Grendel-No weapons
GM-Sword
Dragon-Shield
Why does BW use weapons against GM?
It is all about teriitory. BW wants to make it a fair and equal fight. He must adapt to the specific situation.
Laz asked us about our opinions of the book...sadly, few answered.
If the Geats don't trust BW, why did they choose him to fight?
He was put on the spot to prove himself or die trying. He had the chance to make something of himself, so he did.
STUDY FOR THE TEST ON THURSDAY OR BE PREPARED TO FAIL!!!
John Leskow
Monday, October 27, 2008
Minutes for Oct. 27
Today Mr. Lazarow discussed the format of the Beowulf test:
Section 1: essentially short answer, asks about in depth analysis (which we have discussed in class) elements
Section 2: Poetic format of Beowulf, how Anglo-Saxons organized their poems, and the basic terms for Anglo-Saxon poetry
Section 3: Mythical archetype hero, what categories of the mythical archetype hero does Beowulf fall under?
Section 4: Quote section (need to know the list of 31 quotes that was given to us earlier)
Also, we reviewed for the Beowulf test, mainly talking about the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon culture. The primary ideas behind Anglo-Saxons are the reliationship between the lord and his people (visa versa) and the belief that all things come to an end.
Lastly, if you are ever in a situation where you need to impress someone, talk about hapax legomenon. A hapax legomenon is the single occurance of a word recorded in a certain language. This happens when there is very little known about a language and there is only one instance where a word is used. Because the word is only used once there are no other examples for context clues.
Sean H.
Section 1: essentially short answer, asks about in depth analysis (which we have discussed in class) elements
Section 2: Poetic format of Beowulf, how Anglo-Saxons organized their poems, and the basic terms for Anglo-Saxon poetry
Section 3: Mythical archetype hero, what categories of the mythical archetype hero does Beowulf fall under?
Section 4: Quote section (need to know the list of 31 quotes that was given to us earlier)
Also, we reviewed for the Beowulf test, mainly talking about the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon culture. The primary ideas behind Anglo-Saxons are the reliationship between the lord and his people (visa versa) and the belief that all things come to an end.
Lastly, if you are ever in a situation where you need to impress someone, talk about hapax legomenon. A hapax legomenon is the single occurance of a word recorded in a certain language. This happens when there is very little known about a language and there is only one instance where a word is used. Because the word is only used once there are no other examples for context clues.
Sean H.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
class minutes from friday the 24th
sorry that this is so late guys! i was freaking out because i just couldnt figure out how to blog, because i forgot you had to log in! ughh, but finally..
here it is:
alright so on friday we got an assignment, as well as a work sheet.
the worksheet was 4 pages (front & back) of quotes from the text Beowulf
the assignment for the quotes is:
4-5 sentences on the quotes of your choice, 5 or 6 points made about quote in each paragraph.
this should outline
1) the speaker and who was spoken to
2) when was this said, whats happening at this time?
3) cultural elements
4) any use of kennings, mention to archetype hero..etc things discussed, making connections to things we've been speaking about in class.
5) what is so signifgant about the quote or moment, an analysis of the quote.
also.
- mr. laz handed back the college essays, and said he was done as far as he was concerned and to ask him (on our own time) for extra help which he would gladly provide. how sweet!
- as well as a reminder the assignement about the riddles (whcih was covered in a previous post) is due on MONDAY! which is tomorrow, if you didnt know.
-WE ARE DONE TALKING ABOUT BEOWULF IN CLASS. THE TEST IS NEXT WEEK.
anyways..i had a thought if anyone wants to get together to discuss beowulf and study for the test it'd be awesome. is anyone interested in studying for the test sometime this week? awesome.
love,
ellen hassinger
10/26/08
here it is:
alright so on friday we got an assignment, as well as a work sheet.
the worksheet was 4 pages (front & back) of quotes from the text Beowulf
the assignment for the quotes is:
4-5 sentences on the quotes of your choice, 5 or 6 points made about quote in each paragraph.
this should outline
1) the speaker and who was spoken to
2) when was this said, whats happening at this time?
3) cultural elements
4) any use of kennings, mention to archetype hero..etc things discussed, making connections to things we've been speaking about in class.
5) what is so signifgant about the quote or moment, an analysis of the quote.
also.
- mr. laz handed back the college essays, and said he was done as far as he was concerned and to ask him (on our own time) for extra help which he would gladly provide. how sweet!
- as well as a reminder the assignement about the riddles (whcih was covered in a previous post) is due on MONDAY! which is tomorrow, if you didnt know.
-WE ARE DONE TALKING ABOUT BEOWULF IN CLASS. THE TEST IS NEXT WEEK.
anyways..i had a thought if anyone wants to get together to discuss beowulf and study for the test it'd be awesome. is anyone interested in studying for the test sometime this week? awesome.
love,
ellen hassinger
10/26/08
Thursday, October 23, 2008
10/23 Class Notes
Today we were given our two writing assignments that are both due on Monday. Mr. Lazarow placed a few Anglo Saxon riddles on the board, and we're to choose one to write an essay on its meaning. We also have to write our own 10-line Anglo Saxon poem. To do this assignment, you'll also have to copy down a riddle from the board during a study hall or 12th period.
As for Beowulf, we discussed Part 3 again today. Mr. Lazarow brought up a few key points about the ending of the poem. In the end of the poem, Beowulf's tribe obeys his orders of not helping him fight the dragon. Despite those orders, Beowulf's most loyal soldier disobeys him. Beowulf is not upset by this, and is in fact glad to see him come and help. The point that the author is making revolves around the theme of loyalty. Loyalty comes before all other things, and his tribe forgets that. As a result, Beowulf dies and the Geats end up falling as well. This also translates back to Grendel's Mother fight, when the Danes walked away, while the Geats showed their allegiance and loyalty to Beowulf. The author is telling us that the Geats have become the Danes. They've lost their loyalty and because of that, they shall end much like the Danes.
Ryan Grosso
As for Beowulf, we discussed Part 3 again today. Mr. Lazarow brought up a few key points about the ending of the poem. In the end of the poem, Beowulf's tribe obeys his orders of not helping him fight the dragon. Despite those orders, Beowulf's most loyal soldier disobeys him. Beowulf is not upset by this, and is in fact glad to see him come and help. The point that the author is making revolves around the theme of loyalty. Loyalty comes before all other things, and his tribe forgets that. As a result, Beowulf dies and the Geats end up falling as well. This also translates back to Grendel's Mother fight, when the Danes walked away, while the Geats showed their allegiance and loyalty to Beowulf. The author is telling us that the Geats have become the Danes. They've lost their loyalty and because of that, they shall end much like the Danes.
Ryan Grosso
CLASS MINUTES: 10/22
Hey guys, sorry I forgot to put this in yesterday...
Today in class we once again asked questions about Beowulf. At the start of class Mr. Lazarow compared the fight against the dragon in Beowulf to the fight against the dragon in the Hobbit. Afterwards, we talked about the history between the Swedes and the Geats:
The Geat king, Hreathel, dies,
The swedish king is named Ongentheow.
His sons, Othere and Onela invade the Geats.
The Swedes win the battle of Hresosnohill.
The new Geat king is Heathcyn, son of Hreathel.
The Geats capture Ongentheow's queen at the battle of Ravenswood.
In the same battle, Ongentheow counterattacks, rescues queen, and kills Heathcyn.
Hygelac, the younger brother of Heathcyn arrives with reinforcements.
Ongentheow is killed in the battle, and the Swedes lose.
Eanmund and Eadgils are the sons of Othere,
exiled by their uncle Onela (now the Swedish king).
Heardred (the Geat king, after Hygelac's death) gives them refuge.
Onela invades Geatland and kills Heardred.
Weohstan (the Swedish king's retainer) kills Eanmund.
Beowulf becomes king of the Geats.
Beowulf (the Geatish king) supports Eadgils when he invades the Swedes and kills Onela.
After the history of the Swedes and Geats we continued asking other questions of Beowulf.
Sorry again that I didn't post this yesterday...
Mickey Gill
Today in class we once again asked questions about Beowulf. At the start of class Mr. Lazarow compared the fight against the dragon in Beowulf to the fight against the dragon in the Hobbit. Afterwards, we talked about the history between the Swedes and the Geats:
The Geat king, Hreathel, dies,
The swedish king is named Ongentheow.
His sons, Othere and Onela invade the Geats.
The Swedes win the battle of Hresosnohill.
The new Geat king is Heathcyn, son of Hreathel.
The Geats capture Ongentheow's queen at the battle of Ravenswood.
In the same battle, Ongentheow counterattacks, rescues queen, and kills Heathcyn.
Hygelac, the younger brother of Heathcyn arrives with reinforcements.
Ongentheow is killed in the battle, and the Swedes lose.
Eanmund and Eadgils are the sons of Othere,
exiled by their uncle Onela (now the Swedish king).
Heardred (the Geat king, after Hygelac's death) gives them refuge.
Onela invades Geatland and kills Heardred.
Weohstan (the Swedish king's retainer) kills Eanmund.
Beowulf becomes king of the Geats.
Beowulf (the Geatish king) supports Eadgils when he invades the Swedes and kills Onela.
After the history of the Swedes and Geats we continued asking other questions of Beowulf.
Sorry again that I didn't post this yesterday...
Mickey Gill
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