Friday, September 7, 2012

beowulf essay topics

During yesterday's on-the-ground classes, students suggested essay topics for Beowulf.  Here are some of the topics that were mentioned:
  • qualities of an epic hero (honor, courage, etc.) as a reflection of the culture in which the epic was produced;
  • the role of religion in the plot and in the culture
  • the role of hubris in Beowulf's character
  • how a modern epic saga would reflect 2012 America
What do you think would make a good essay topic (i.e., what sort of prompt would invite you to share your knowledge about the poem)?  Comment to this post with your suggestions.  The essay topic will be posted by COB Friday, 9.7.  The essay will be due on Monday, 9.10 (please bring handwritten or typed hard copy to class).
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4 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 7, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    I like the essay topic: "qualities of an epic hero (honor, courage, etc.) as a reflection of the culture in which the epic was produced". Beowulf has many qualities that could be traced back to his culture.

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  2. Michelle CrosbySeptember 7, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    For the "qualities of an epic hero (honor, courage, etc.) as a reflection of the culture in which the epic was produced," would we just have to look at Beowulf, or would we also have to look at what 2012 is producing as well? I like that essay topic, it just slightly confuses me.

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    Replies
    1. Dr. PrestonSeptember 8, 2012 at 6:35 AM

      I suppose the question could be written either way. Do you think comparing with 2012 would help students reflect on epic heroism by starting with what they know best, or do you think it would distract from Beowulf?

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    2. Michelle CrosbySeptember 8, 2012 at 10:29 AM

      I think that it would distract us, students, from showing what we know about Beowulf, and instead just focus us on our what epic heroism in 2012 is like and what it shows us. Which wouldn't necessarily be bad, but it wouldn't be focusing on what we learned from reading Beowulf and the questions that we had to mull over.

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