english III beowulf, authurian legends, and canterbury tales TEST

a long narrative poem

what is the definition of an epic poem?

Bravery, strength, loyalty, generosity, sense of duty

what are the traits of an epic hero?

they are used to embody and protect community values

why are strength and courage an epic hero trait

E- embodies and protects community values

P- possesses supernatural traits

I- identifies a need to go on quests

C- carries themselves with confidence

what does E.P.I.C mean (relates to the traits)

entertain readers and spread Christian values

Once Beowulf was finally written down, it was used to ?

community and kingship

Anglo-saxons valued ? and ?

verbally (oral epic tradition)

Beowulf is the oldest recorded epic story in the english language. it was transcribed in old english, and was told ? through generations of anglo-saxons until it was written down in 700.

the method by which long, heroic tales and cultural histories are transmitted through spoken word rather than written text

what is oral epic tradition

alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

caesura

A natural pause or break in a line of poetry, usually near the middle of the line. ex. ....-....

kenning

a metaphorical compound word or phrase substituted for a noun or thing ex. story keeper = book

cain

from the christian point of view of the anglo-saxons, where did evil beings like Grendel originate from

Grendel's mother gets revenge for her son after he was killed

how is the theme revenge shown in beowulf

-Beowulf looks out for his men and wants to make sure they will be taken care of along with his people, he is not only looking out for himself

-when beowulf stopped his race with Brecca to fight the sea monsters

how is the theme leadership shown in beowulf

Grendel's mother attacks Heorot in revenge. Beowulf then ventures into her cave under a lake, and she dragged beowulf through the water. then, put him in a current which led him to an underground cavern full of treasures. beowulf lured Grendel's mother to a corner and then jumped on her stab her over head, but was unsuccessful. She jabbed and stabbed him until beowulf was able to stab her with a magical ancient sword from the time of the giants and beheads the dead Grendel.

describe Beowulf and Grendel's mother's battle

yes

beowulf planned to die valiantly, does this reflect viking culture well?

beowulf refuses to back down from his fight with the dragon and will stand firm even if he is losing because he knows the dragon will take out the city if he doesnt stop him.

how is the theme bravery shown in beowulf

The battle between Beowulf and Grendel occurs in the mead-hall Heorot, where Beowulf, fighting unarmed, confronts the monster Grendel. Beowulf's superior strength allows him to match Grendel, and in a fierce struggle, he tears the monster's arm from its shoulder. Grendel flees the hall to his swamp to die from his wounds, and Beowulf hangs his arm in Heorot as a trophy to signify his victory over the evil creature.

describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel

when beowulf retells how he killed Grendel, he emphasizes that he killed him with his bare hands and Grendel was very strong so he escaped Beowulf's grasp, and if they would have seen Grendel, they would have been even more scared.

how is the theme bravery and reputation shown in beowulf

Beowulf and the dragon battle after a slave steals a golden cup from the dragon's hoard, awakening the beast. The fight is fierce, and Beowulf's sword breaks, leaving him vulnerable to the dragon's venomous bite and a mortal wound to his neck. With the help of his loyal kinsman Wiglaf, who stabs the dragon in the stomach, Beowulf delivers a final, fatal blow to the beast. Beowulf dies from his wounds, but not before ensuring Wiglaf is his heir and seeing the dragon's treasure

describe the battle between beowulf and the dragon

-beowulf remain loyal to his kingdom and always fights for it

-Wiglaf stays with beowulf and has his back when everyone else left him

how is the theme loyalty shown in beowulf

through the heroic warrior Beowulf and his battles with the monstrous figures Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Beowulf represents good by selflessly defending humanity and acting as a savior, while the monsters embody evil through their destructive desires and attacks on innocent people.

how is the theme good vs. evil shown in beowulf

through Beowulfs initial boastful speeches, and his overconfident decision to fight Grendel unarmed

how is the theme hubris shown in beowulf

through the hero's drive for fame and honor in battle, his boasting, his use of treasure as a form of showing his deeds, and the everlasting monument of his legacy through his name

how is the theme fame and glory shown in beowulf

by represneting humanity's inner darkness, societal disruption, and the inevitable nature of death and greed. Grendel embodies a corrupted, bestial, and envious human nature, originating from the biblical figure of Cain, the first murderer.

how do the monsters symbolize evil in beowuld

beowulf

a classic epic hero who embodies traits of superhuman strength, courage, loyalty, and pride, but who also possesses a potential tragic flaw of hubris

Hrothgar

a wise, generous, and once-valiant ruler who has grown old and lost the physical strength to defend his kingdom from Grendel

Wiglaf

loyal, courageous, and honorable young warrior who stands by his lord against a dragon when all other thanes flee, embodying the Anglo-Saxon heroic code of courage and steadfastness.

Grendel

a monstrous, man-eating descendant of the biblical Cain, embodying evil, isolation, and a cursed nature due to his banishment from God's society

the heart of the community where people could gather

what was the mead hall (heorot) a symbol of

beowulf's last wish was to look at treasure while he died showing he strived for self-importance and glory

how is the symbol of treasure shown in beowulf

the core values of the Anglo-Saxon heroic code, which emphasizes honor, fame, and the immortality gained through courageous deeds

how is legacy a symbol in beowulf

Courtesy, honor, courage, loyalty to king and God

what are the aspects of the chivalric code

code of chivalry

The ? shapes the values and actions of SirGawain and other characters in the poem.

gawain's cowardice

the green sash ultimately became a symbol of ?

the green knight suggests the "beheading game" where he will one person to have a singe blow of his axe at the back of his bare neck as along as in a year and a day, he can do the same to them.

what game does the Green knight purpose

sir gawain

who accepts the green knight's challenge?

he believes arthur is too important to risk

why does Gawain insist on taking the challenge instead of Arthur

the Lord would go out and hunt each day while Gawain stayed at the castle and at the end of the day, they would exchange what they had "won"

On Gawain's way to see the Green Knight, Gawain comes across a castle. The Lord and lady of the castle welcome him. What strange game does the Lord propose to Gawain?

first exchange and second exchange: the lady attempts to seduce Gawain but he resists her and on the first two days only accepts kisses which he gives to the lord at the end of each day

third exchange: Gawain continues to try and resist the lady but she presses him to accept another gift; first offers a gold ring (he rejects) then offers a sash which will enable him not to be killed while wearing it (he accepts); he gives the lord only kisses

What happens during the first, second, and third exchange between Gawain, the lady, and the lord? Describe Gawain's thoughts/actions during these exchanges.

He swings 3 times to test Gawain. The first swing, Gawain flinches and the Green Knight stops to make fun of him. The second swing, the Green Knight tests to see if Gawain will flinch again, he doesn't, and this makes Gawain upset because he is ready for the Green Knight to actually swing. In the last swing, the Green Knight "swings" and nicks the top of Gawain's neck tp punish him for withholding in the 3rd exchange.

How many swings of the axe does the Green Knight take at Gawain? Why? What happens at each swing?

he had duties within the chivalric code to show loyalty to his host and the courtly obligation to a lady.

what does Gawain morally struggle with when the lady advances on him?

-through Sir Gawain's struggles with chivalric virtues at the castle

-his loyalty, courage, and honesty are tested by the Green Knight's wife's seduction

-the exchange of winnings game

how is the theme testing of virtue shown in the Green Knight?

when gawain realises chivalry encompasses more than just outward appearances, it involves inner integrity, honesty, and a willingness to face one's failures and inevitable mortality with courage and humility

how is the theme Nature of true honor shown in the Green Knight?

his human instinct for survival

gawain's acceptance of the green sash from the lady of the castle represents ?

the green knight's mercy and gawain's partial success

when the green knight only nicks gawain's neck, this represents ?

power of penance and forgiveness

what theme is most strongly conveyed when Gawain confesses his fault

Gawain's desperate attempts to perform virtuous acts for public glory rather than from true conviction.

how is the theme appearance vs reality honor shown in the Green Knight?

honor depends on personal integrity more than perfection

what does gawain's emotional reaction at the end suggest about medieval views of honor

green symbolizes nature, the supernatural, and the ambiguous mix of life, death, and moral testing. It makes the Green Knight both a force of awe and a reminder of human vulnerability.

what is green a symbol of in the green knight

the pagan vs. Christian elements symbolize the blending and conflict of old mythic traditions with new religious values, highlighting humanity's struggle to balance earthly instincts with spiritual ideals. the green knight is pagan while gawain represents christain beliefs

what is pagan v. Christian elements a symbol of in the green knight

This challenge is supernatural because no human could survive decapitation, and it forces Gawain into a test of both bravery and honor: keeping his word even when it means risking death.

what is Gawain's supernatural challenge

Gawain's whole experience at the castle with the lady

what is the trial and test in the green knight

he goes out after accepting the Green Knight's game to find the mysterious Green Knight at the Green Chapel a year and a day after Gawain beheaded him, to receive a return blow as per their agreement

what is Gawain's quest?

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

what is an allegory?

its a reference to the war of the roses

what is the allegory in Le Morte d' Arthur

a literary device and general practice of using an object, person, or concept to represent a broader, abstract idea or concept beyond its literal meaning.

what is symbolism?

-through Arthur's dream and vision which was a symbol of fate, chance, and destiny and also Canterbury and Arthur's fall

-in arthur's dream, he was seated on a tilted platform symbolizing wheel of fortune

how is symbolism showed in Le Morte d' Arthur

arthur was wearing a gold cloth and seated on a tilted platform (wheel of fortune) and beneath him was a deep circular well full of monsters. the scaffold tilted, arthur was flung into the water, and ripped to shreds. then Gawain appears and tells him to not battle or wait one month for Lancelot

symbolizes Camelot and Arthur's fate of being ripped apart

what was arthurs dream and what did it symbolize?

-Arthur continued to fight after seeing signs not to (bravery)

-he was loyal to his kingdom (loyalty)

-he made sure his sword was returned (honor/honesty)

-he was going to execute Guinevere but then pardons her (respecting women/forgiveness)

-he forgave Lancelot (forgiveness)

how was the theme chivalry showed in Le Morte d' Arthur

-through the adultery of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, which violates Arthur's trust and fractured the Round Table

-through Mordred's rebellion against his father, King Arthur, ultimately leading to Arthur's death

how was the theme betrayal showed in Le Morte d' Arthur

through the betrayals of core characters like Lancelot and Guinevere, leading to the destruction of the ideal of the Round Table, the pursuit of personal desires over loyalty and virtue, and King Arthur's own flawed leadership and tragic fate,

how was the theme downfall of ideals showed in Le Morte d' Arthur

Arthur has a vsion showing his fate of falling, and sees Gawain warning him not to fight Modred or wait until Lancelot shows up, but he goes against his fate and still continues through with the battle

how is fate vs. free will shown in Le Morte d' Arthur

Arthur honoring the Lady of the Lake's gift by returning it back to her

what did Excalibur's return to the Lady of the Lake symbolize

arthur's legend will inspire generations and the hope of eternal return or legacy

what did Arthur's departure to Avalon symbolize

he wishes to keep Excalibur for himself

why does Bediever lie twice about throwing the sword

fall of england to civil war

the fall of camelot can be seen as a metaphor for ?

peter denying Jesus three times

Arthur asks Bedivere to throw his sword back into the lake but he has to be asked three time what does the symbolize

the downfall of King Arthur's kingdom due to betrayal and forbidden love, culminating in Arthur's death in a battle with his illegitimate son and betrayer, Mordred

what is the tragic ending of Le Morte d'Arthur

Despite attempts to negotiate peace, a misunderstanding causes the truce to break (solider unleashes sword to kill snake), and both armies fight to near extinction. In the final confrontation, Arthur personally strikes Mordred with his spear, running him through. With his dying strength, Mordred delivers Arthur a fatal wound to the head. Mordred falls dead, and Arthur—mortally wounded—is carried away to Avalon, marking the end of his reign and the fall of Camelot.

describe the final battle between mordred and arthur

Arthur's character dynamics show the balance between idealism and human weakness—he is the noble king who builds a vision of perfect order, but also a flawed man whose kingdom falls because of betrayal, passion, and fate.

character dynamics of arthur in le morte d'arthur

Sir Bedivere's dynamics show him as a loyal but flawed knight who struggles with temptation yet ultimately redeems himself through obedience, making him a symbol of faithfulness and the survival of Arthur's legacy.

character dynamics of sir bedivere in le morte d'arthur

Mordred's character dynamics show him as the embodiment of betrayal and ambition, a dark mirror of Arthur whose treachery fulfills the prophecy of Camelot's collapse. He is both Arthur's greatest enemy and the tragic reminder that even the noblest visions can be undone from within.

character dynamics of modred in le morte d'arthur

Frame narrative - 30 pilgrims on their way to Canterbury looking for indulgences/healing and the host has a storytelling contest on the pilgrimage

what was the purpose of the Canterbury tales

The Knight

is depicted as the ideal, virtuous warrior, embodying courage, honor, and humility, making him a standard against which other pilgrims can be measured; dressed very simply and wore a dirty tunic with smudges from his armor (fought in the crusades)

the squire

is a young, talented, and romantic knight-in-training, full of energy and charm, serving as a contrast to his father's mature, battle-hardened nobility; he was dressed very fancily and had embroidered clothes and was surfacely mannered

the nun

refined, gentle, and overly concerned with manners, appearances, and material things, illustrating Chaucer's subtle critique of superficial piety in the medieval Church.

the friar

is a corrupt, worldly, and manipulative cleric who values money and pleasure over genuine religious service, making him one of Chaucer's sharpest critiques of church corruption; he flirted with the ladies, collected money for confessions, did not like to hang with beggars, and got poor people to donate.

woman from Bath city

is a bold, experienced, and independent woman, symbolizing female agency, worldly knowledge, and the complexities of love and marriage in medieval society; very skilled craftsperson, outlived 5 husbands, and traveled to expensive places

parson

is a humble, virtuous, and devoted clergyman, symbolizing true piety, moral integrity, and the spiritual ideal of the medieval Church.

the pardoner

is a greedy, manipulative, and hypocritical clergyman, symbolizing corruption in the Church and the moral contradictions of those who exploit faith for profit; sold pardons and fake relics and pocketed the cash

franklin

a wealthy, cheerful, and hospitable landowner, symbolizing generosity, pleasure, and social responsibility; gluttony

by exaggerating their greed, hypocrisy, and worldliness, using irony and humor to expose the gap between their duties and behavior, while contrasting them with truly virtuous figures like the Parson to highlight moral ideals.

how does the author make fun of the clergy using satire

by exaggerating ideals, highlighting contrasts between youth and experience, and gently mocking human flaws, showing that even the highest class is subject to human weakness and societal pressures.

how does the author make fun of the nobility using satire

by exaggerating their pretensions, using irony, and highlighting quirks, showing how wealth, ambition, and obsession with appearances can lead to humor and social critique.

how does the author make fun of the middle class/peasantry using satire

clergy, nobility, and middle class/peasantry

what are the three social classes within the pilgrimage

through irony, exaggeration, and humor, exposing the moral failings of the clergy and criticizing the Church as an institution without directly attacking religion itself.

how does the author use satire when describing the clergy

use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule; to expose and criticize peoples' stupidity or vices

what is satire

a storytelling technique in which a main story encloses or embeds a secondary story (or multiple stories) within it

what is frame narrative

when events or words are the opposite of what is expected

what is irony

when they found "death" under the tree but really they found gold that leads to their deaths

how does Chaucer use situational irony

through the Pardoner's greed while he preaches against greed

how does Chaucer use dramatic irony

when the character says things the audience already knows

how does Chaucer use verbal irony

he entertained reader while critiquing human nature and social norms through exaggeration, irony, playful mockery, wordplay, and contrasting characters

how does Chaucer use humor

Chaucer uses admiration for virtue and criticism for vice, often in the same character, to admire their virtue, skill, or charm, while criticizing and exposing their hypocrisy, vanity, or moral failings

how does Chaucer use admiration vs. criticism

greed is the root of all evil

what is the theme of the Pardoner's Tale

is shown through the rioters' actions, the corrupting power of gold, dramatic irony, and the Pardoner's own hypocrisy.

how is the theme of the Pardoner's Tale shown

three rioters

? are young, arrogant, and reckless men whose greed and folly lead to their deaths, serving as a cautionary symbol of the dangers of vice and moral corruption.

death

? s an inevitable, symbolic force representing mortality and divine justice, driving the story and reinforcing the theme that greed and folly lead to destruction.

the Pardoner

? is a greedy, manipulative, and hypocritical clergyman, whose very character embodies the sin he preaches against, making the story both ironic and morally instructive.