Anglo Saxon (449 - 1066) Syllabus
Standards
Can you … (Essential Questions)?
Traces the development of British fiction through various 1. … anaylze and describe how British literature developed
literary periods (ie, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Renaissance, during this time period?
Romantic, etc.
Identifies and analyzes patterns of imagery or symbolism
2. … identify and explain symbols in each story?
Relates identified elements in fiction to theme or
underlying meaing.
3. … analyze how those symbols relate to the themes of the
stories?
Task 1. Background information on the Anglo-Saxon period
In the PURPLE lit book, read the following pages and answer the following questions.
1. Read pages 2 – 3 and list TEN facts.
2. Read over pages 6 – 9 and complete the graphic organizer on "Invasions."
3. Read over pages 10 – 16 and complete the graphic organizer about “Life as an Anglo-Saxon.”
Task 2. The Epic of Gilgamesh
In the PURPLE lit book, turn to p. 52 and read the background on The Epic of Gilgamesh.
1. When was the story of Gilgamesh first recorded on clay tablets?
2. How old is the story of Gilgamesh?
3. Who are the following:
Gilgamesh
Enkidu
Humbaba
Read "The Head of Humbaba" on p. 52-53. Then answer the following in well written paragraphs:
1. Why does Gilgamesh hesitate in killing Humbaba?
2. Does Gilgamesh face any situations that he might face in today's world? Describe.
Task 3. Beowulf - Introduction
Read pages 18 – 20 and answer the following questions:
1. What is Beowulf to England?
2. What is a motif?
3. What does the epic Beowulf tell the story of?
4. Explain what “oral art” is?
5. How long is Beowulf ?
6. What are the characteristics of an epic hero? Be sure to get this answer from “Elements in Literature”
on page 20.
7. Define epic.
Task 4. Excerpt from Beowulf
Read “The Monster’s Mother” and “The Final Battle” from Beowulf on pages 39 – 46. Answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
When Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother, what characteristics help him remain unbeaten?
What saves Beowulf from being killed by Grendel’s mother’s dagger?
Do you feel any sympathy for Grendel’s mother? Why?
What did he lift that no ordinary man could lift?
5. Why does Beowulf not rest at this point instead of fighting, as an aged king, a battle whose odds are
against him?
6. What do you think Beowulf’s motivation is in going after the dragon’s treasure hoard?
7. In his battle with the dragon, Beowulf accepts with valor and virtue his wyrd , the inescapable destiny
all people in this world must accept. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
8. Who comes to Beowulf’s aid in his final battle with the dragon? Why does he help him?
9. Other than Beowulf’s men’s desertion of him, what else might foretell the end of the Anglo-Saxons?
Cite the lines and write the page #.
10. What sad scene concludes the epic?
11. TWO PART QUESTION. What attitude toward heroes is shown by the Geats? In our country, what
attitude do we display toward our heroes?
Task 5. William Wallace (aka Braveheart)
Click on the following link and carefully read about William Wallace. NOTE: On p. 8, you will read about schiltrons
- be sure you read ALL the information on each tab (Schiltrons, Attacking, Defending)
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scotlandshistory/warsofindependence/williamwallace/index.asp
After you have read the following sections, answer the following questions
- William Wallace
These sections can be found from the links
- Battle of Stirling Bridge
in the left column
- Battle of Falkirk
- Schiltron
1. Describe the kind of man William Wallace was.
2. In the Battle of Stirling Bridge, compare the size of the English army to the size of Wallace's.
3. Describe Wallace's strategy for this battle.
4. In the Battle of Falkirk, what "devastating new weapon" did the English bring?
5. Describe the Scot's "scorched earth" policy.
6. What is a schiltron? (HINT: place your mouse over the word in blue)
7. Who won the Battle of Falkirk?
Task 8. Analyze Film - A Knight's Tale
Watch the film, A Knight's Tale . Answer the following questions in carefully written paragraphs:
1. Describe how William suddenly becomes a superstar jouster.
2. Why was it so unusual for this time period that William rose above his lowly poor status?
THEME Destiny or 3.William's friend tells him it's crazy for him to try to become a jouster, saying "you can't change your
Choice stars." But, later, in a flashback to William's childhood, his father tells him to change his stars. What does
the phrase "change your stars" mean?
4. In the end, does William "change his stars"? EXPLAIN.
THEME - 5. There is much honor among the knights who joust. How does William earn honor among the jousters
Honor
and the crowds?
THEME StarCrossed
Lovers
6. The definition of "star-crossed lovers" is as follows: Two people who care immensely for each other but
due to their circumstaces cannot be together. Describe how William and Josslyn could be considered starcrossed lovers.
Task 9. Analyze Film - Tristan and Isolde
Watch the film, Tristan and Isolde. Answer the following questions in carefully written paragraphs:
THEME Star-
1. How do Tristan and Isolde meet and fall in love?
StarCrossed
Lovers
2. Isolde marries King Marke despite being in love with Tristan. Describe how Tristan and Isolde are starcrossed lovers.
THEME - 3. Tristan is held in high honor by King Marke. Give two reasons why King Marke holds Tristan in such
Honor
high honor.
THEME Destiny or
Choice
4. Destiny or Choice? Were Tristan and Isolde destined to live the lives they did? Or did their choices
influence the outcome of their story? Give SPECIFIC examples from the story to support your answer.
Task 10. Culminating Projects - 2 0f them!!
1. Theme. Create a visual that demonstrates how each of the stories ( A Knight's Tale and Tristan and Isolde) share a
COMMON THEME
You may create a poster, Power Point, or some other creative method.
2. Symbols. Create a visual that demonstrates one symbol from each film and explains how each symbol RELATES
TO THE THEME that you chose.
You may create a poster, Power Point, or some other creative method.
Task 11. Final Exam Project
1. The Final Exam Project is your final exam in this course and counts as a final exam grade.
It is a Power Point presentation, in which you will reflect upon what you learned in each unit you
complete in your English class, you will reflect upon what you did, what standards were addressed and
what you learned in each task.
Instead of waiting until the end of the semester to complete this final exam, you will work on it as you
complete each unit. That way your final exam will be finished when you complete your last unit for this
course.
2. Get the instructions for the Final Exam Project from your teacher.
Task 12. Grade yourself
1. Get a blank standards rubric from your teacher and grade yourself on how well you've mastered the
standards.
2. Put all work in order as it appears in the syllabus, then bring your work and rubric to me so we can grade
together.
3. Then bring all completed work and rubrics to your teacher to conference about your work.