Grendel: nobody knows where these reavers from hell roam on their errands.

An illustration of Grendel
by J.R. Skelton from Stories of Beowulf. 

As we conclude our study of the history of England, we learn that the the history itself of this mysterious island is a history of the success of the monastery, especially in Anglo-Saxon culture. Within that culture, we also find that certain things are very important: family, food, feasting, battle, war-deeds, and poetry. With Modern and misguided assumptions, we might be tempted to think that poetry doesn't belong there, but that's only because the fault lies with us. We are the lame ones, who only think poetry belongs to the limp-wrist, effeminate, "sensitive" types. It does not and it did not. Let Beowulf and the strong beauty of the Anglo-Saxon convince you of this. We first see this in Caedmon, the author of the first recorded English poem. But we see it continue and flourish--largely, I think, due to the influence of the Church, which is salt and light to the preservation of that distant twilit world of heroes and monsters. Of such monsters, the poet tells us that Grendel is from the "kin of Cain" and is " which is why he "harasses the halls of Heorot."

Agenda:

1. Faeder ure.
2. Reading Check Quiz: Lines 1-257
3. Read and discuss Beowulf (Sessions I and II in Omnibus)
1. Reading Journal (10/18): Lines 1-490
1. How does he describe the 12-year reign of Grendel over Heorot? Why doesn't attack the throne?
2. To whom do the Danes turn for help in this bitter time of Grendel's harassing?
3. Who comes to their aid? What do we learn of him? From whence does he come? What heroic deeds are attributed to him?
2. Review HW:
1. Read Beowulf, lines 258-490
2. Study & review Anglo Saxon England Notes.
3. Be wise.