Poetry Analysis Beowulf Workbook

Description

Beowulf Poetry Analysis Workbook for High Schoolers

Beowulf is the earliest poem surviving in Old English. It depicts the world of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and spans a time between pagan England and the arrival of Christianity. The poetry analysis Beowulf workbook helps homeschool high school students prepare for the British literature exam or earn high school Literature & composition credit in the USA qualification model.

This study guide provides invaluable sources to aid you in our study of the epic poem, as well as leading you through the process of delving into the world of the idealistic Anglo-Saxon warrior.

Not only does the poem give insight into this early history of Britain, Beowulf paves the way for the ideals of the knightly codes of honour. The poem has inspired writers and poets through the ages, from Seamus Heaney, to JRR Tolkien.

Poetry Analysis Beowulf Workbook Highlights

The Beowulf workbook includes:

• Guided study of the epic Old English Poem Beowulf
• Exploration of the historical context of epic Anglo-Saxon poetry
• Comprehension Questions for each set of verses
• Character study
• Analysis of literary devices
• Essay questions
• Opportunities to contemplate Beowulf in light of a Christian worldview

This workbook can be used as a stand-alone resource for self-study and poetry analysis. It is also a required material for the British Literature Year 1 live class and the British Literature – Beowulf self-paced course (coming soon).

Arise Home Education recommends using the Michael Swanton or the Seamus Heaney translation along with this poetry analysis Beowulf workbook.

Why should high schoolers study Beowulf?

Beowulf is one of the best preserved Anglo-Saxon poetry which has come down to us. As a work it gives vital historical insight into the people, and what they value from a period in history which it can be hard to know about. The text forms the foundation of the English we speak today, so linguistically it is an important document.

The version of Beowulf we have was written down by a monk in 1000, however its origins are hundreds of years earlier. In the form we have today, we see England in a state of change. The original bards of Beowulf were pagan; but the writer of the text is Christian. Through the text, we see the changing face of a culture as they move from paganism to Christianity. As a hugely popular story in the 1000 the writer has responded to the changing faith of the nation to Christianise the text.

Finally, we see the migrant nature of the British Isles. Beowulf is a poem of migration, a people moving from their homeland of Northern Europe, around modern day Denmark and settling in modern day Norfolk. The landscape in the poem, although largely set in Denmark, is very typical of East Anglia.

Through Beowulf we see the early ideas of chivilry and knightly honour forming in the character of the Saxon warrior.