the European people who settled in what is now England, following the end of Roman occupation

the ideas, customs and behaviour of a particular people or society

the underlying structure of a narrative that gives it a logical and coherent order

Understanding the historical context and the plot of 'Beowulf'

English

In this unit, pupils rewrite the build-up and climax of a scene from the end of Beowulf’, focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action. In '’A Kind of Spark’: Narrative Writing', pupils will finesse writing a build-up and climax with a focus on switching between the past and present tense to highlight a jump in perspective.’

In ''Beowulf': Reading', pupils analysed a modernised version of ’Beowulf’. In this unit, pupils will rewrite the build-up and climax of a scene from the end of ’Beowulf’, focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action.’

'Beowulf': narrative writing

Which culture did the story of 'Beowulf' come from? 

Which modern-day countries did Anglo-Saxons come from? 

True or false? The story of Beowulf was written down before it was told orally.

Put these groups in Anglo-Saxon society in order, with the most powerful listed first.

What evidence is there that warriors were respected in Anglo-Saxon culture?

Beowulf tries to stab the dragon, but he is unable to and needs Wiglaf's help. 

Beowulf slits the dragon's throat, killing it. 

Beowulf argues that he should fight the dragon and he approaches its cave. 

The dragon burns down the Geat stronghold. 

In the final mini-story - Beowulf and the dragon - which event is the resolution? 

Put these events in the order they happen in 'Beowulf'. 

Match each monster Beowulf defeats to the way he kills it. 

Which character helped Beowulf to defeat one of the monsters?

In what form of writing did 'Beowulf' originally appear? 

Starter Quiz