v4b: Literature ME

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome

today: Middle English period & The green knight
+ recap Beowulf

What is a Heorot?

1. a mead-hall
2. a weapon
3. a castle
4. a dance

Who is angered by the feasting and attacks the soldiers?

1. Hrothgar
2. Sheafson
3. Grendel
4. Beowulf

How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?

1. with a magic sword
2. by attacking it with an army
3. only with his muscles
4. he uses magical powers

Where does Beowulf finds the magic sword?

1. in a cave
2. under water
3. locked in a cabinet
4. in a stone

What kills Beowulf in the end?

1. a unicorn
2. a dragon
3. a demon
4. an underwater monster

How many battles are there in the story?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

How is Beowulf typical for this period?

Middle English period

1066 - 1450

The Norman conquest

- The French take power after battle of Hastings (1066)

- Government, aristocracy etc. now all French

- bring their own culture to England --> chivalry

- French becomes the language of those in power

- Bring literary traditions and themes --> courtly love and chivalry

Language

- "fancy" words may have French roots --> words for different meats (Beef from the French boeuf instead of cowmeat)

- peasants still spoke English --> not much language change

--> why English has French language influences but is still a germanic language

Literature

- 2 main types of works were written down:
 religious texts  and chivalric literature

-  chivalry main theme in stories: loyalty, honour and courtly love (you can flirt, but not kiss)

- Source of King Arthur and his knights of the round table

During a New Year’s Eve feast at      1       court, a strange figure, referred to only as the     2       , pays the court an unexpected visit. He challenges the group’s leader or any other brave representative to a game. He says that he will allow whomever accepts the challenge to strike him with his own      3            on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly        4     to receive a blow in return.

King Arthur's

Green Knight

Black knight

Merlin's

Sword

axe

1 year

10 years

Who takes the challenge

1. King Arthur
2. Sir Gawain
3. The green knight

What happens after the head gets chopped off?

What is the deal between Sir gawain and the lord?

What happens on the first day?

What happens on the second day?

What happens on the third day?

What is the real name of the green knight? Who is he?

What happens when Sir Gawain meets up with the Green knight?

How does chivalry play a role in the end of the story?

What do you know about King Arthur?

Bonus: King Arthur

- was he real? --> kind of

- probably originated in Wales--> celts

- mentions of an "Arthur" fighting
against Saxons

- his fame grew --> legendary 

To Do

Read the summary of Sir Gawain and the green knight and do the assignments