Write in your Commonplace Book and post a photo to Blackboard by 11:59 PM the Saturday night* before class:

Write in your Commonplace Book and post a photo to Blackboard by 11:59 PM the Saturday night* before class: Commonplace Book (CPB) Entry 2. CPB instructions: write a short (250ish word) reflection on one of the following topics pertaining to Beowulf so far. Whichever topic you choose, make sure to end your reflection with a question you’d like to ask your classmates about the text. Here are some topics you might choose to write your reflection on (Back up your claims with some specific evidence from the text–quotes, etc.):

Based on our discussions last week, what aspects of Anglo-Saxon / Old English cultural values can you see in Beowulf so far?

What do you think about the character of Beowulf so far? What evidence do we have so far for deciding whether the poet wants us to admire Beowulf or not? (Back up your claims with some specific evidence from the text–quotes, etc.)

What do we notice about the female characters in this text so far? (Back up your claims with some specific evidence from the text–quotes, etc.)

What does this text seem to be saying or showing about warfare, conflict, blood feuds, and revenge? (Back up your claims with some specific evidence from the text–quotes, etc.)

Scholars disagree over whether Beowulf was originally a Christian poem, or whether the monk writing it down added more Christian beliefs and ideas to an originally pagan / polytheistic text. What do you notice about this poem’s treatment of religion and different religious beliefs? (Back up your claims with some specific evidence from the text–quotes, etc.)

Pick a specific passage that stood out to you and describe the specific choices the poet made that are so vivid. Why do you think the poet made those choices?

Anything else that stood out to you as you read Beowulf is fair game for you to talk about, too! Just make sure to bring in some specific quotes as evidence for your claims, and make sure to end your reflection with a question you’d like to ask the rest of the class.

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