English Literature

Week 2

Please read:

Historical background (pp. 3-7).

As with all subsequent historical sections, read this carefully. I will expect you to know it well. You should know the dates on the timeline also. After you have finished reading the historical survey, please take the background quiz for the unit in the Moodle. Please note: you are responsible for the due dates. I do not re-open quizzes once they have closed!

“Reading an Epic Poem” and “The Beowulf-Poet” (pp. 8-9).

Beowulf: Grendel and his mother (pp. 10-35).

Here is also a fascinating (reconstructed) performance of a piece of Beowulf by a performing artist who accompanies himself on the Anglo-Saxon harp. There's probably no telling how accurate it is, but it suggests something about the possible dynamics and character of the performance of the poem in its original context.

Please take the background quiz on Unit I.