Identify and explain one interesting contrast between Beowulf and Krebs. What might be the significance of this difference? Make an argument for your opinion based on the text.
Patterns are an important motif in "Soldier's Home." Compare the first two paragraphs. These are about two photographs. What patterns can you find in Hemmingway's description of these two photographs? Give one specific example.
Compare "Soldier's Home" to other texts that you have read by women. What patterns do you recognize in how Hemmingway writes about and characterizes women?
Share your ideas from today's class. What do you think one of the monsters from Beowulf means in light of Cohen's first thesis?
Reflect on the boasts delivered by your classmates: What did your classmates do well?
The monster's body is a cultural body. What do you think Cohen means by this?
Share your reactions to the conclusion of the story: How do you feel about Beowulf's decision to face the dragon alone as an old man? Has his pride finally got the best of him? Or is something else going on here?
How does the poet develop one specific trait of the epic hero in the description of Beowulf's fight with Grendel?
What struck you as an important element of Tolkien's argument? What stood out to you? What did you agree or disagree with?
According to Harmon and Holman's A Handbook to Literature, caesura is "a pause or break in a line of verse" (74). In the translation of Beowulf included in the Holt McDougal Literature textbook, a caesura is often indicated by a comma. In the original translation, a caesura would have appeared in the middle of each line.
Identify one caesura in the text of Beowulf from pages 42-49. Breifly describe the effect of this pause in the line. How does it relate to the meaning of the line itself? Link to Beowulf E-text
READ sections 1-3 of the Beowulf e-text. Find one strong example of alliteration. Consider how the use of alliteration in this particular passage effects the rythm of your speech when the passage is read aloud. Then breifly explain how alliteration is used here to develop a particular theme, meaning or tone in the text. Link to Beowulf E-text
READ sections 1-3 of the Beowulf e-text. Find one epithet. Identify to whom the epithet refers, and breifly explain how this particular epithet is used to develop a particular theme, meaning or tone in the text. Link to Beowulf E-text
READ sections 1-3 of the Beowulf e-text. Find one kenning. Analyze the kenning by breaking it down into an analogy. Breifly explain how this particular kenning is used to develop a particular theme, meaning or tone in the text. Consider the tale-within-a-tale about Beowulf’s swimming match with Brecca. What does this story contribute to your understanding of Beowulf’s heroic character and of his powers?
Re-read pp. 46-49. Reflect on the poet's tone and characterization.
What can you infer about the poet's attitude toward King Hrothgar? Is he depicted in a black and white way? As all good or all bad? Re-read Beowulf, lines 64-81. What words or phrases does the author use to establish Grendel's character? How effective are these in conveying the trauma of Grendel's assault on the Danes?
Explain the story of Cain and Abel in light of the idea that human beings were created in the image of God. What role does the divine image play in the story of Cain and Abel?
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