Characterisation of Beowulf and Grendel
I can outline the key events in the fourth chapter of ‘Beowulf’ and I can find evidence of how the author has characterised individuals in the text.
Characterisation of Beowulf and Grendel
I can outline the key events in the fourth chapter of ‘Beowulf’ and I can find evidence of how the author has characterised individuals in the text.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In Chapter 4, Grendel comes to Heorot and kills Leofric.
- Beowulf attacks and he snaps off Grendel's arm, which makes the Geats think that Grendel must then die.
- Beowulf and the Geats are rewarded by King Hrothgar for ridding the Danes of Grendel.
- Authors describe and develop characters' traits through their actions, dialogue and interactions.
- This process of character development is called characterisation and we can find evidence of it in texts.
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to understand the concept of characterisation.
Explain that the author is trying make us feel certain things about the characters; characterisation is just the process of doing that. If the author wants us to think Grendel is scary, they have to make that happen through their descriptions.
Keywords
Prediction - an educated guess, based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge
In role - when you take on the perspective of a character in a text
Characterisation - the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story through their actions, thoughts, dialogue and interactions with others
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2013 Oxford Children’s Classics edition of ‘Beowulf’ written by Kevin Crossley-Holland and illustrated by Charles Keeping for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
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