The Scop and his Song: Poetry as performance

In his celebrated "How a Poem Means," John Ciardi, arguing against much of the free-verse nonsense that goes under name of Modern poetry, says that poetry is "a performance." He likens it to dance, wherein all the parts of form and content cohere in beauty, as Yeats says, "how shall I tell the dancer from the dance?"  Today and the next few days, as we continue our study of Beowulf, we shall look deeper into the poetic merits of this most amazing work. 

Agenda:

1. Faeder ure.
2. Latin Proverb: "Semper gaudete. Sine intermissione orate."
1. Rejoice always. Pray without intermission. (1 Thess. 5:16-17)
3. Poetry Assignment:
1. Choose at least 20 lines that you like from lines 490-1061 of Beowulf.
2. Practice reading them out loud. Get your rhythm and pronunciation down.
3. Perform a dramatic reading of your passage tomorrow.
4. Hand back work and discuss:
1. Essays: Bede
2. Exams: Bede
3. Quizzes: Beowulf
4. HW/CW: RJ on Beowulf
5. Review HW:
1. Practice reading them out loud. Get your rhythm and pronunciation down. Perform a dramatic reading of your passage tomorrow.
2. Read Beowulf, lines 489-1061. Study Beowulf notes.
3. Study your Notes on Anglo-Saxon England
4. Be wise; be perfect.

Introduction to Anglo-Saxon, Poetry, and Beowulf - Part I

First page of Beowulf. 10th century.

Today we conclude our study of Bede and move further on in history of England. Bede has provided us with the solid foundations of the Church as it spreads, and now we look to the manner in which the Church continues to preserve culture. Today we pleased to have a guest lecturer.

Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Latin Proverb: Festina Lente
1.  "Make haste slowly" = this paradox expresses the need for both urgency and vigilance. Rather than speed, which is careless and reckless, urgency is the key here. Rather than delay or slowness, which is tardy and is also not careful because it is not punctual, carefulness is the key, or punctiliousness. Keep this in mind as we continue on in the year, and let these words come to you at moments when you under the limits of time, when you are taking exams, for instance.
3. Review and discuss answers to Bede Exams:
1. Short-Short Answers
2. Short Answers
4. Lecture on Beowulf with guest lecturer, Mr. Cain
1. Notes (10/16): Anglo-Saxon England
5. Review HW: 
1. Study, review, become friends with your notes.