British Literature Final Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and historical contexts related to British Literature and are designed to assist in exam preparation.

What time period does the Middle Ages span?

The Middle Ages spans from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation, roughly 450-1485.

What language did the Anglo-Saxon invaders speak?

The Anglo-Saxon invaders spoke an early form of the language known as Old English.

What was the impact of Christianity on literacy during the Old English period?

Christianity significantly impacted literacy, as the first extended written specimen of Old English is a code of laws implemented by King Ethelbert.

What does Beowulf exemplify regarding its cultural context?

Beowulf exemplifies the Anglo-Saxon Code of Conduct, providing insight into Christian and pagan beliefs.

List three ideals of the Anglo-Saxon Code of Conduct.

Good Defeats Evil, Wergild, Words Match Actions.

What is an Elegy?

An Elegy is a poem that expresses sorrow and serious reflection, often serving as a lament for the dead.

Define Wergild.

Wergild is a form of restitution payment for murder that, if unpaid, resulted in revenge from the victim’s relatives.

What is the significance of the English Renaissance?

The English Renaissance marked a cultural and artistic movement characterized by renewed interest in ancient languages, recovery of manuscripts, and the rise of intellectual humanism.

Who brought the printing press to England and when?

William Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1476.

What political-religious doctrine is exemplified in Richard II?

The Divine Right doctrine asserts that a monarch’s authority comes directly from God.

What is a Sonnet?

A Sonnet is a 14-line poem traditionally written in iambic pentameter with a specific rhyme scheme, exploring a single idea or emotion.

What is the first published Gothic story?

The first published Gothic story is Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, published in 1764.

What are the four distinctive features of Gothic fiction?

Antiquity, Settings that harbor secrets, Return of the past, Blurred boundaries.

What is the Matryoshka narrative structure in Frankenstein?

The Matryoshka narrative structure in Frankenstein consists of stories within stories, adding depth to the narrative.

Define the term Unconscious in a psychological context.

The Unconscious is the reservoir of repressed thoughts and feelings that influences behavior without conscious awareness.

What does the concept of Sublime refer to in literature?

The Sublime refers to natural phenomena that provoke the strongest emotions, emphasizing that pain is felt more intensely than pleasure.

What does Critical Theory in literary study involve?

Critical Theory involves developing systematic approaches to literature, exploring textual structures, and relating dynamics to broader worldly phenomena.