Honors English 4

Mr. Dunphy

Comparison/Contrast Essay

Beowulf

****Due: Friday, September 30th Worth 200 points

In Anglo-Saxon society, Beowulf demonstrated bravery and courage in the face of danger. Who is a real life, modern-day hero of our time and culture? If Beowulf mirrors Anglo-Saxon society and its ideals, then who represents ours? Choose someone whom you think is a hero our time, and compare and contrast this hero with Beowulf. What traits do they share? In what ways are they different, and what do those ways reveal about the Anglo Saxon society and ours? Develop a focused and coherent analysis that is supported with specific detail.

Notes:

Anglo Saxon Values:

1. Honoring courage over long life

2. Enjoying storytelling, feasting and music

3. Viewing life fatalistically

4. Admiring physical strength more than intellect

5. Valuing loyalty to the king above all

6. Not concerned with afterlife; glory of memory most important

**Consider your hero. What are they like? What qualities do they possess? Think about what

these qualities reveal about American culture.

History of Anglo Saxons

The term Anglo-Saxon is a relatively modern one. It refers to settlers from the German regions of Angeln and Saxony, who made their way over to Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire around AD 410. For a further history of the culture, read here:

BEOWULF

September 2011 Literature Unit #1:

Beowulf

Beowulf is the longest extant poem from Old English; it is the forerunner of Modern English. It is a song of praise for a great king. Beowulf serves as an archetype of an epic hero. Beowulf embodies the fears, beliefs, and codes of behavior of the people during the Anglo-Saxon period. In many parts of the ancient world, storytellers sang about war, heroes, gods, and monsters. Studying Beowulf allows readers to see and understand the inherent connection between literature and historical context.

Key Questions to consider:

What is an epic hero?

What is an archetype?

How can a hero reflect the cultural beliefs and traditions of a people?

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

How can the tenets of our cultural and language be traced back to the Anglo Saxons?

What heroes did the Anglo Saxons glorify? What does this reveal about their values?

What makes a 21st century American hero? Do Americans have a universal understanding of what makes hero?

What do our modern heroes reveal about our culture?