Overview“Who are we but the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves, and believe?”― Scott Turow, Ordinary Heroes
To examine British Literature across time and its influence on the development of literature, our approach is chronological, starting with the Anglo-Saxons and the Middle Ages. In this unit, we will explore archetypes and the characteristics of an epic hero through Beowulf and “Canterbury Tales”. Through the development and application of high level reading and thinking skills students will explore the concepts of linguistics, cultural values, and the nature of good and evil. We will also look at what it means to be a hero in today’s world, and how that differs from the times of our texts. By cross examining the main texts with supplemental nonfiction, fiction, and poetry texts, we will uncover how early literature reflected the culture and living conditions of the middle ages and understand why the literary epic hero was essential to the survival of the early Britons. By the end of the unit, students will be able to identify key literary elements that represented the middle ages, to apply and share their understandings in discussions and group activities, and to create visual representation of their understanding of heroes and characters in the text. Student Outcomes
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Main StandardsRL.11-12.2 Determine two or more themes of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL.11-12.7 Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem, evaluating how each version interprets the source text. RL.11-12.6 Analyze a case in which grasping a point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement). Focus QuestionsWhat is an epic Hero?
How do you determine theme in a work of fiction? In a poem? What were the living conditions prior to and during the Medieval period in Britain? What are the elements to the hero’s journey? How do you analyze characters and determine their motivations? How did the early historical and cultural development of Britain influence its first literature? Enduring Understandings
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