Beowulf Boast Assignment

Mr. Shurtleff

AP Lit/Comp

Boardman High School

Upon his arrival to help Hrothgar, Beowulf boasts of his deeds and accomplishments. Essentially, he is providing his credentials – a resumé explaining why he is qualified to battle Grendel. This ritual was an accepted part of life for these Germanic peoples. Your task is to compose a similar resumé about yourself in which you boast about your past accomplishments and feats. However, instead of King Hrothgar, you will be addressing the admissions counselor of your chosen university. Include your qualifications as a student, athlete, and person. However it is important to recall that Beowulf is replete with fantastic elements. Include such elements in your boast. Whether you decide to compose it in verse or prose, make it approximately one to one and a half pages long.

Be sure to maintain Beowulf’s tone and attitude and remember that you are, according to our culture’s definition, bragging.

Include at least five kennings

Be sure to liberally season your response with alliteration (think Julia Child and butter)

If you use poetry, include a casura

Use at least two epitets to describe yourself