Characterisation of Beowulf and Grendel
Lesson details
Learning outcome
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.
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.
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
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.
Teacher tip
Ensure that giving pupils time to read aloud is the key focus of lessons; develop routines to ensure efficient paired reading, including an expectation that pupils re-read each passage once they have finished it to develop fluency and understanding.
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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which characters does Beowulf meet at the Danish court?
Q2.Which adjectives describe Beowulf best?
Q3.Which of the following are claims Beowulf made about himself?
Q4.Which of the following are pieces of evidence that support our impression that Unferth is rude?
Q5.Who is left in Heorot at the end of the night?
Q6.Which of the following are true?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who does Grendel kill?
Q2.What does Beowulf do to defeat Grendel?
Q3.Match each key term to the correct meaning.
strangle
very hungry
gather together
a friend or ally
Q4.Which word below means the same as 'go more quickly'?
Q5.Who is rewarded with a gold buckle after Grendel is defeated?
Q6.How would you describe the ending of Chapter 4 of 'Beowulf'?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Characterisation of Beowulf and Grendel, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Characterisation of Beowulf and Grendel, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Beowulf': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.