INTR

ODUCTION T

O ANGLO

SAXONS

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What do you think about when you think about the term “Old English?” What is it?

2. Can you think of an example of how language has changed over time?

Be sure to write in complete sentences on the paper provided.

CHANGES IN LANGUAGE

There are some changes you might know without even realizing it. . . • Google • Bi*ch • Bethlehem

CONCRETE CHANGES IN LANGUAGE

• OED (Oxford English Dictionary Activity)

• New Words added to the dictionary

 10   It is my lady, O, it is my love!  11   O, that she knew she were!  12   She speaks yet she says nothing; what of that?  13   Her eye discourses; I will answer it.  14   I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks.  15   Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,  16   Having some business, do entreat her eyes 17   To twinkle in their spheres till they return.  18   What if her eyes were there, they in her head?  19   The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,  20   As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven

 21   Would through the airy region stream so bright  22   That birds would sing and think it were not night.  23   See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!  24   O, that I were a glove upon that hand,  25   That I might touch that cheek!

DECIPHERING OLD ENGLISH FROM EARLY MODERN/ MIDDLE ENGLISH

You will receive a paper in Old English, which is the prologue of the epic poem, Beowulf. Look at the text and see if you notice anything. Do any words look similar to words that you know?

OLD ENGLISH

WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE

What does Old English sound like? How about middle or modern English?

THE ANGLO SAXONS

• English speaking people living in Britain from the middle of the 5th century until the Norman Conquest after attacking Celtic tribes.

• Before the Anglo Saxons, Britain was inhabited by people who spoke many Celtic languages.

• Sense of uncertainty. Tribes could be attacked at any time. Battles fought to the death.

• Unification did not happen until 1066.

• Hierarchal leadership: Naming was also important.

• Admired for physical strength, courage, valor, and leadership.

• Cowardice/fear led to disloyalty and defeat.

• Germanic language, although many scholars spoke in Latin

• Ultimately, know very little about the culture and way of life.

DEFINING TERMS

• Alfred the great-successfully defended kingdom against Viking attempt at conquest and became dominant ruler in England.

• Thanes-soldiers

• Scop-story teller

• Wergild-compensation for murdered family member

• Kenning- hyphenated phrase used as an appositive

• Alliteration-repetition of initial consonant sound

• Caesura-break in the middle of a line in poetry

HISTORY OF BEOWULF

Story first told orally in 500 AD (believed)

Dates somewhere between 500-1100 AD

Considered first major work of English literature

Author unknown

Sir Robert Cottoncame to have manuscript in his library (one of the richest libraries)

Moved to a safer location (House at Westminster), but burned in a fire

Moved to British Museum (1753)

Thorkelin (Icelandic scholar) made 2 complete copies of the manuscript/ took to Copenhagen.

Thorkelin’s house burned and manuscript destroyed.

First English edition 1833.

1845-Preservation began but 2,000 letters destroyed

1993-Digitized (CD Rom)

CHARACTERS

• Beowulf: soldier and future leader of the Geats

• Hrothgar: leader of the Danes

• Haerot: mead-hall built by Hrothgar

• Grendel: monster who attacks Danes

• Unferth: thane who mocks Beowulf and doubts his talents

• Brecca: Defeated Beowulf in Swimming Match

• Wiglaf: Than who helps aged Beowulf defeat dragon.

DOUBLE-ENTRY JOURNALS: EXAMPLES & READING: 5 ENTRIES Left Right

Unknown Vocabulary Word (no more than 2)

Definition

Quote (with line number) Connections• Text to self (I think…) • Text to world (This relates to

the Anglo saxons because…)

Observations Significance

I wonder why… Maybe because…

Quote from text Literary Technique

Quote from text Reactions, questions

DOUBLE-ENTRY JOURNALS (AS A CLASS ): EXAMPLES AND READING LINES 1-25Left Right

TAKE-AWAYS

On the sheet provided, write 1 interesting fact you learned today and 1 fact that you think is important to know for the upcoming test (I might use these as test questions)

HOMEWORK/ IN-CLASS : (DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNALS & READING) LINES 25-55 With a partner or alone, read and start on

your double entry journal.