This lesson plan guides in the teaching of the English epic, "Beowulf".

1. Lesson Plan in English Literature
Beowulf
I. Objectives
At the end of the class, 80% of the students should be able to:
1. share views on literature and its significance to history;
2. define what an epic is;
3. compare Anglo-Saxon epic poetry to Philippine epic;
4. identify character traits of hero and villain in the story;
5. trace the ancestry of the Danes and describe what kind of people they are;
6. point out the conflicts/struggles in the story;
7. summarize the three adventures of Beowulf and identify the battle proved
to be the hardest;
8. make a story map to illustrate the highlights of the events in the epic and
explain other significant concepts about the epic;
9. express views and opinions about Beowulf’s being a hero and give their
own standards for a person to be considered a modern hero;
10. write a weblog telling the incidents in “Beowulf” using Grendel’s point of
view.
II. Subject Matter
Beowulf
References: Language in Literature by L. Ribo
Prentice-Hall Literature: The English Tradition
III. Procedure
A. Routine
1. Prayer
2. Brain Teaser

2. B. Motivation
1. Guess the riddle:
“I am male, add a letter and
I am female. Add another
letter and I am male again.
Add three more letters and
I am female again.
What am I?”
2. The teacher presents you tube videos about the life, struggles and
triumph of Efren Peňaflorida, the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
3. How can a teenager show hero-like qualities in everyday life?
C. Presentation
1. The teacher relates an anecdote about the influence of literature to a
person.
2. Students share their views on literature and its relationship to history.
3. Students listen to the song “Ebudae” by Enya (pre-listening for general
appreciation, post-listening for analysis.)
4. Students are asked to relate the song to the assigned selection “Beowulf”.
D. Unlocking of Difficulties
Rearrange the jumbled letters in each box to come up with the word
that means the same with the underlined word/phrase in each sentence.
1. You can always turn to your best friend who always knows how to
cheer you up in times of pain or misery.
alfciitofn
2. Watching the beautiful sunset at the Manila Bay gives a feeling of
comfort and relief
alceos
3. To protect himself during battle, a warrior wears a flexible body armor
made of metal.

3. liam
4. In ancient England, a warrior’s victory was celebrated in banquet halls
with feasting, drinking liquor especially mead, long speeches and
giving of gifts.
deam–shall
5. In the epic Beowulf, the monster seeks the hall warrior while the young
soldiers are sleeping.
sentah
E. Discussion:
1. Students are asked to share with the class what they have read about
Anglo-Saxon Poetry.
2. Students answer the following questions:
a. Who is Beowulf? What circumstances led him to Heorot?
b. When does Grendel first go to Herot? Explain what the warriors
were doing when he arrives. What does he do to them?
c. Why is Grendel afraid of touching Hrothgar’s throne?
d. What is Beowulf’s plan for fighting Grendel? Why does he
choose this plan?
e. Summarize the three adventures of Beowulf by means of a story
map. What battle proved to be the hardest?
f. How does Grendel die?
g. At the beginning of the poem, Hrothgar’s warriors are happy,
while Grendel is consumed by hatred. What causes these
differences in attitude?
h. How does Beowulf’s remark, “Fate will unwind as it must,”
reflect the Anglo-Saxons’ attitude toward fate?
i. What traits of Beowulf and Grendel raise the fight between them
to an epic struggle between two great opposing forces in the
world?
j. Relate to the class how Beowulf defeated the evil forces. Was it
primarily because of his strength or he was just pushing his
luck, relying on his own fate and destiny?
k. Differentiate the leadership shown by both Beowulf and
Hrothgar. How did they show their own concepts of strength and
courage?
l. Beowulf is thought to be a perfect hero for his times. What
qualities should a modern hero have? In what situations might a
modern hero demonstrate these heroic qualities? Give
examples of modern heroes or of heroic behavior.

4. .
IV. Evaluation
How can a teenager practice the virtues of courage, generosity, truthfulness, and
commitment in their studies, family, and oneself? Make a word association based on
your initials and incorporate them on the four values named above.
V. Enrichment Activity
Writing About Character Traits
Write a weblog for your classmates in which you tell the incidents in Beowulf
from Grendel’s point of view. Begin by jotting down notes about Grendel’s thoughts and
feelings during his final, fatal visit to Hrothgar’s hall. Then, arrange these notes in a
logical order to create a working outline. Next, write a draft, keeping in mind that you are
giving Grendel’s version of events, not your own or Beowulf’s. Finally, revise your draft,
improving your content and organization and correcting any errors you find in grammar
or mechanics.
VI. Valuing
“The strongest is never strong enough to be master, unless he transforms strength into
right and obedience to duty.” –Jean Jacques Rousseau
Activity: “A Warrior’s Wisdom”
Students will write on given worksheets the warrior-like characteristics that an
individual should possess in order to face life’s challenges.