SOTW Vol 2: The Early Britons, Chapter 2

Major Literature: Beowulf (the adult version)

• listen to Beowulf in the Old English/Germanic. Note the differences between Old English and our modern English, listen for words that sound the same.
• Read some of the prologue during the Celtic Feast (see below)

Children's version of Beowulf:

• The hero Beowulf by Eric A Kimmel
• Beowulf by John Green
• Beowulf the Warrior by Ian Serrellaire

Discussion of Beowulf:

• Discuss the background and history of Beowulf
  
• take note of the map above
• List the three monsters in Beowulf. Sometimes in literature monsters are more than just a character, or the bad guy. Sometimes they represent people's fears. How are the monsters described by the author? What fears do you think the monster's embody?
• Specifically with Grendle's mother, what do you think the role of women was at that time? How would grendel's mother be frightful to that society?
  
• What monster's scare you? What are monstrous traits?
• Grendel is described as having the "Mark of Cain" . What does that mean? Discuss the Cain Tradition.
• Kennings are metaphorical descriptions. Examine some of the kennings in Beowulf and some modern kennings.
  

Hands on Learning:

• Create a paper mache mask of your own monster

Additional Reading:

• Celtic Fairy Tales
• The Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlon
  

Music to explore the theme of monsters:

• Tocatta and Fugue in D minor
• Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain
• In the Hall of the Mountain King (lego edition)

Movies to explore the themes: (the links go to netflix)

• Documentaries on Boudicca the warrior queen
• The Celtic World: Story of Civilization
• A History Of Britain: Disk 1
• Terry Jone's Medieval Lives
  

Art and Architecture:

• Monasteries
• Tombs
• Religious Symbols

Have an early Celtic Feast (w/ no silverware except a spoon if you can't stand it, eat with your hands!):

• Irish lamb Stew served in Bread bowls
• roasted chicken legs
• colcannon
• non alcoholic mead