Beowulf

[Sharie in Maine]

Hi Christie or Marcia

We had a great discussion about Beowulf last week in our R Co op ... but one disagreement arose-
most of the kids say there were 3 feasts not just two - we even found such a heading - (and I did read the entire piece too).... after the first funeral there was a feast... but the two feasts that we list in pattern plot are: after Beowulf defeats Grendel and then Grendel's mother. Just wanted another opinion about the 3 feasts and I told then I'd ask y'all

[cjsomerville]

Lol! Wow. Isn't it crazy, the things that they find interesting to dispute? There are a couple of options that I can think of: 1) I just plain miscounted and there really are three significant feasts, or 2) There are three feasts but only two of them (the latter two) are significant (i.e. the first one is just kind of in there and nothing important happens, so it doesn't really count as a key EVENT in the plot).

If it's #1, then I apologize and I'd love to know why the kids think the first feast is significant so that I can fix the class plan. If it's #2 (which is the most likely one, to my mind), then you might just point out to the kids that not all events in a plot are equally significant and maybe we'll add a footnote to the class plan. :-)

Let me know if this helps at all or if you have any more feedback! Thank you for bringing the observation---it's always SO helpful to receive corrections!

Christy

[Sharie in Maine]

Hi Christie-
I finally have my book and computer together at the same time! Ok Pg 1190 (NAWL 8th edition) heading(which is partly why they thought it was important) says "Feast at Heorot" -- that's where they decided it meant there was a 3rd feast - agreeing that there was a feast after the other two battles. Either way the feasts do set off the battles.
I tell the kids they can disagree they have to be able to back up their argument- which is great!
I was also curious if any others had found out this information while studying it?
The kids also pointed out some funny lego youtube movies about Beowulf. That really emphasized the feasting.