You’ve already written a boast about yourself. Now you will write a formal boast from the
perspective of Beowulf. Speak of strength, brave deeds, honor, glory in battle, and other
qualities that Beowulf would brag about. Choose a point in the book where the boast might
appear so that it is specific and focused on a particular task. Here are a few suggestions:
 Boast before Hrothgar and his people upon your arrival
 Boast that addresses Unferth’s criticisms of you
 Boast before OR after you fight Grendel
 Boast before OR AFTER you fight Grendel’s mother
 Boast before you fight the dragon
 Boast of your life as you are dying
 Begin your boast with the following information:
o Your name, your parents’ names and their titles, where you are from
 Include the following elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry:
o No end-rhymes
o 3 examples of alliteration – 3 words that begin with the same consonant in the
same line = 1 example of alliteration (underline your alliterations)
o 3 original kennings (circle the kennings)
o Formal and grand tone (no contractions, modern phrases, slang words, etc.)
 Minimum length: 8 lines
 Full heading, typed, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced
 Number each line of the boast
This is worth a test grade. You will be graded on the following criteria:
 Formatting (length, no rhyming, underlining, circling, etc.)
 Required elements (alliteration, kennings, formal tone, etc.)
 Content (boast is consistent with the plot, concepts, , language, and style of Beowulf)