Beowulf Theme and Conclusion

Enter the classroom silently.

Pick up your daily handout.

Place your Socratic Seminar questions on your desk.

Clear your desk of all materials.

Wait silently for instructions.

Objectives

We will be able to: justify the development of multiple themes throughout Beowulf by selecting support from the poem.

We will be able to: create an advertisement for a new Beowulf movie based on a theme used throughout this poem and in various versions of the epic.

Final Reading of Beowulf

Student popcorn reading.

Our focus is on theme.

Themes Revisited: Name that Character, Name that

Theme!

Beowulf Themes

The Importance of Establishing Identity

Heroic Code

Good Warrior and Good King

Christianity and Fate

Alienation or Loneliness

The Importance of Establishing Identity

The Importance of Establishing Identity: Characters in the poem are unable to talk about their identity or even introduce themselves without referring to family lineage. The poem emphasizes kinship bonds.

While heritage may provide models for behavior, a good reputation is the key to solidifying your place in society.

Heroic Code

Heroic code values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity and political skill in kings; and good reputation in all people.

The code is important to warrior societies to understand their relationships with the world and the menaces lurking beyond.

Work to gain honor

Good Warrior and Good King

Throughout the poem, Beowulf matures from a brave warrior to a wise leader. His transition demonstrates that a different set of values comes with each role.

Whereas the youthful Beowulf, having nothing to lose, desires personal glory, the aged Hrothgar, having much to lose, seeks protection for his people.

Christianity and Fate

There are many references in the poem to the Christian belief in one almighty God who takes a personal interest in human affairs. Beowulf and Hrothgar give praise to God for the defeat of Grendel. The outcome of battles is attributed to the judgment of God, and Beowulf puts his trust in God.

However, Christianity is only mentioned because of the time period in which Beowulf was written since the setting does not include the Christian tradition.

That’s were the lines such as “Fate goes as fate must” (455) fit in.

Alienation or Loneliness

Beowulf is the hero who is alienated from society. He is not an ordinary member of the community, and he has no close friends or family members who he can share his problems with.

Beowulf thrives on this alienation as he chooses to enter battle alone.

Theme Graphic Organizers

Connection between theme and epic hero

Use of evidence to support our themes

Development of themes throughout text

Themes building on each other

Theme How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements, quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.

Identity

Good Warrior/ Good King

Alienation and Loneliness

Honor Code

Theme How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements, quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.

Identity Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s backgroundBeowulf’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to his father’s name

Good Warrior/ Good King

Alienation and Loneliness

Honor Code

Theme How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements, quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.

Identity Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s backgroundBeowulf’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to his father’s name

Good Warrior/ Good King

Values/ Decisions of BeowulfValues/ Decisions of HrothgarValues/ Decisions of Wiglaf

Alienation and Loneliness

Honor Code

Theme How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements, quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.

Identity Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s backgroundBeowulf’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to his father’s name

Good Warrior/ Good King

Values/ Decisions of BeowulfValues/ Decisions of HrothgarValues/ Decisions of Wiglaf

Alienation and Loneliness

Beowulf’s speech before his deathWiglaf’s commemoration of BeowulfBeowulf’s lack of followers

Honor Code

Theme How the character (s)- through their actions or lack of, statements, quotes, decisions, etc.- contribute to the theme development.

Identity Characters throughout the story are introduced by their father’s backgroundBeowulf’s action and decisions in battle are a reflection of living up to his father’s name

Good Warrior/ Good King

Values/ Decisions of BeowulfValues/ Decisions of HrothgarValues/ Decisions of Wiglaf

Alienation and Loneliness

Beowulf’s speech before his deathWiglaf’s commemoration of BeowulfBeowulf’s lack of followers

Honor Code Values of kinship, courage, loyaltyCode of behavior and war

Introduction of theme

Details, events, quotes, and/or actions in beginning of text that introduce this theme:

Advancement of theme

New details, events, quotes and/ or actions throughout the text that continue to contribute to this theme

Summary of Theme

How all the contributing details emerge to solidify this theme by the end of the text:

GROUP WORK

You are working in groups of no more than four students.

You are working quietly and only with those students that sit near you.

No one is to leave their seat or call out.

You are to be completing your graphic organizer on your theme.

You have 10 minutes to do so.

Socratic Seminars

Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions, prize inquiry over information, and discussion over debate

“The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.”- Effie Israel

Connection to Class Goal: College Bound

Connection to Senior Exit Project

Socratic Seminar Logistics/ Norms

You have to be active in the conversation Listen, and include your input.

One voice at a time

Respectful tone and language

Use text evidence. Include line numbers

Always explain yourself.

Snaps

Fishbowl circle

Socratic Seminar Norms

Socratic Etiquette

We __________________ by looking at the speaker, taking notes, and NOT talking while another person is talking

We __________________ loudly enough for everyone to hear, asking questions, and making statements that enrich the discussion.

 We __________________ deeply about the ideas and values with an open mind.

 We ____________________________________ by citing specific page/line numbers to support our point of view.

 We __________________ each other.

 We __________________ together.

4 3 2 1

Analysis and Reasoning

• Clearly references text to support reasoning. • Demonstrates thoughtful consideration of the topic.• Provides relevant and insightful comments, makes new connections.• Demonstrates exceptionally logical and organized thinking.• Moves the discussion to a deeper level.

• Occasionally references text to support reasoning.• Demonstrates consideration of the topic.• Provides relevant comments.• Thinking is clear and organized.

• Rarely references text, may reference text incorrectly.• Demonstrates awareness of the topic but little reflection on it.• Comments are mostly relevant. • Thinking is mostly clear and organized.

• Does not reference text. • Demonstrates little or no consideration of the topic.• Comments are off-topic or irrelevant.• Thinking is confused, disorganized, or stays at a very superficial level.

Discussion Skills

• Speaks loudly and clearly.• Stays on topic and brings discussion back on topic if necessary.• Talks directly to other students (rather than the teacher).• Stays focused on the discussion.• Invites other people into the discussion.• Shares ‘air time’ equally with others.• References the remarks of others.

• Speaks at an appropriate level to be heard.• Stays on topic and focused on the discussion.• Aware of sharing ‘air time’ with others and may invite them into the conversation.• May occasionally direct comments to teacher.

• Mostly speaks at an appropriate level but may need to be coached.• Sometimes strays from topic. • Occasionally dominates the conversation.

• Cannot be heard, or may dominate the conversation.• Demonstrates inappropriate discussion skills.

Civility • Listens to others respectfully by making eye contact with the speaker and waiting their turn to speak.• Remarks are polite and demonstrate a high level of concern for the feelings of others.• Addresses others in a civil manner, using a collegial and friendly tone.

• Listens to others respectfully.• Uses appropriate language and tone.• Remarks demonstrate a concern for the feelings of others.

• Listens to others respectfully, but may not always look at the speaker or may sometimes interrupt.• Remarks demonstrate an awareness of feelings of others.

• May be distracted or not focused on the conversation.• Interrupts frequently.• Remarks demonstrate little awareness or sensitivity to the feelings of others.• Uses an aggressive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate tone.

How to write an effective Socratic Seminar question

Question Stems

Question Examples

Topics

Goals

Student Discovery…

Modeling of Preparation for Socratic Seminar

Write a question on note card

Participate in Socratic Seminar

Independently reflect on your presentation

Discuss strengths and weaknesses of our Socratic Seminar

Reminders

Expectations for tomorrow; Work for Tomorrow

Due Thursday: Thesis/ Purpose Statements Letters to Judges Socratic Seminar Prep Modern Beowulf Writing Assignment

Due Friday: Beowulf Unit Guide