GRADE 11 BCR ANCHORS

Read the following excerpt from Beowulf. Explain the specific structural elements of
this text that identify it as an epic. Be sure to use examples from the text to support
your explanation. (LA.E11.10.04)

SCORE POINT 4 [HSA= 3]

This response effectively addresses the complexities of the text by noting multiple
ways in which the selection is an epic [hero, good vs. evil, lofty language]. The
student uses well-chosen, specific examples to extend meaning beyond the literal
level. For example, Grendel’s evil is explained through the phrase “sin-stained
demon.” The student uses both expressed information [“the sharpest and hardest
iron”] and implied information [Beowulf’s men were devoted to him because he was
a great leader] as support.

One of the structural elements in this excerpt that makes it an epic is the hero. It is
obvious that Beowulf is the hero. Beowulf’s men were: “determined to protect their
prince if they could.” (lines 87 & 88) Beowulf’s men were devoted to him because he
was a great leader. Another epic element used in this excerpt is alliteration. Line 85
says, “All of Beowulf’s Band had jumped from their Beds.” There is a repeated B sound.
Alliteration is an element associated with Anglo-Saxon Literature. Also, the theme of
good v. evil is evident in this excerpt. Grendel is obviously the “evil”, while the “good”,
Beowulf, is his opposer. To show Grendel’s evil, there are words like, “sin-stained
demon.” This is a kenning describing Grendel as villain of Satan. Finally, there is lofty
language in this excerpt. For example, when describing the weapons it says, “the
sharpest and hardest iron.” There words help to set the tone.

SCORE POINT 4 [HSA= 3]

This response effectively addresses the demands of the question by noting multiple
ways in which the text contains the elements of an epic [cultural heritage, lofty
language, supernatural]. The student develops an explanation of each of these
elements to offer insightful support. Meaning is often extended beyond the literal
level through the use of both expressed information [“swords raised and ready,
determined to protect their prince if they could”] and implied information [Lofty
language is how the people talked in superlatives].
 The excerpt from Beowulf shows many structural elements of the text that
identify it as an epic poem. First, epics normally show a lot of cultural heritage. From
this excerpt you can see how much the people of Denmark respected their king, which
was a large part of their culture. On line 87, Beowulf says, “swords raised and ready,
determined to protect their prince if they could.” This quote shows how respectful the
people were of their king. Another characteristic of an epic is lofty langauge. Lofty
language is how the people talked in superlatives. An example of this is on 92, it says,
“the sharpest and hardest iron could not scratch at his skin.” Lofty language is found
everywhere throughout this poem. One more structural element that identifies Beowulf
as an epic is it was supernatural. The characters had superhuman abilities. Beowulf
could do the following superhuman deeds: fight monsters with only his hands, kill many
demons and monsters, and always had fate on his side. Each of these elements show that
Beowulf was an epic poem.

SCORE POINT 3 [HSA= 3]

The specific examples given help prove the text is an epic, though there are only two
[supernatural forces, difficult task] and they do not fully capture the complexities of
the text. This response uses expressed information [“that might protector of men”]
and implied information [a task that takes courage and valor] to arrive at some
extension of meaning beyond the literal.

There are a few ways that this inveterate story Beowulf is an epic. First, this
involves supernatural forces that are usually present in epic poems. Also, this poem talks
about Beowulf as “that might protector of men” making him very strong and powerful,
possessing superhuman strength.
Another way in which this excerpt is an epic poem is that it involves a task that
takes courage and valor. Beowulf’s difficult task was to kill Grendel: he couldn’t be
harmed by weapons. In these ways this excerpt clearly defines itself as an epic poem.

SCORE POINT 3 [HSA= 3]

This response addresses the demands of the question by noting three different
ways in which the text is an epic [an allusion to cultural heritage, good vs. evil,
and superhuman powers]. The student extends meaning beyond the literal by
connecting the fight “for the sake of all of Denmark” to the idea of cultural
heritage, but relies primarily on expressed information.

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 The epic “Beowulf” has many structural elements that show it is an epic. It shows
that Grendel is being fought for the sake of all of Denmark. This is shown in line 82
when it is said that “That might protector of men meant to hold the monster ‘till it’s life
leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use to anyone in Denmark.” It also shows a fight
between good and evil when it refers to Grendel’s soul as “evil.” There is also an
example of superhuman powers when it stated that, “…the sharpest and hardest iron
could not scratch at his skin…” Superhuman powers are also shown in line 94 when it
says that, “that sin-stained demon had bewitched all men’s weapons, laid spells that
blunted every mortal man’s blade.”

SCORE POINT 2 [HSA= 2]

This response shows a partial and literal understanding of both the text and the
question. The student focuses on the fact that the text is a poem as his primary
explanation of what makes it an epic [This is an epic poem because of the structure of
it]. He relies on superficial information from the text, though the discussion of good
vs. evil demonstrates an attempt to interpret beyond the literal.

This is an epic poem because of the structure of it. The first sentence of a new paragraph
is to the right. The first letter in every line is capitalized. The line number to the right
also show poem form. It is an epic because there is good vs. evil. Line 82 says, “that
mighty protector of men.” This is the good. To prove the goodness, lined 83-84 say
“meant to hold the monster, till its life leaped out”. This shows that the good is going to
kill the evil. Line 91 says, “A path for his evil soul,” which proves that Grendel was the
evil, and Beowulf was the good. That is why this is an epic poem.

SCORE POINT 2 [HSA= 2]

This response shows a partial understanding of the text because only one element
of an epic is explained [good vs. evil]. The student relies exclusively on expressed
information and makes no attempt to extend meaning beyond the literal.

The passage uses the theme of many classic epics: Good vs. Evil, as a layout. They do
this by saying Beowulf’s men are courageous, determined and they wish to protect. The
“monster” is of “no use”, has an evil soul, is sin stained, and uses witchcraft. And the
conflict is brought about through the description of a struggle between the monster and
the men. Classic epic stuff.

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SCORE POINT 1 [HSA= 1]

The second sentence of this response shows that the text was read, but the student
demonstrates no understanding of the relationship between the text and the
question. This response appears to be partially based upon information from
outside of the given text [we already know for a fact that Beowulf is an epic
poem].

This is an epic due to the following: we already know for a fact that Beowulf is an epic
poem. Though they were strong, the warrior’s swords couldn’t kill the evil Grendel.