British Literature Unit I Study Guide

When was the Dream of the Rood found?

8th centuary

Where was Dream of the Rood found?

Anglo Saxon kingdom of Northumbria (now Scotland)

On what was the Dream of the Rood inscribed?

Ruthwell Cross (etching)

What is the significance of the Dream of the Rood poem?

• Famous and elaborate Anglo-Saxon sculpture

• Perhaps the oldest surviving written piece of English poetry

General idea of what Dream of the Rood is about

• A dream

• Cross personified

• The importance of the cross 

  • The cross was important so that by standing, it leads to God’s will

• Last three lines a gospel message

Where was Judith found?

Norwell Codex, same as Beouwulf

Who found/Translated Judith?

• Ælfric of Eynsham found/translated 

• Unknown author

What is the book of Judith?

• Part of Roman Catholic Bibles, now currently ommited.

• Currently only accepted in the Coptic, Greek, and Russian Orthodox churches.

• Story of Judith was found in the Nowell Codex appendage.

Where is Judith found?

• Book of Judith in certain bibles

  • Story of Judith found in Nowell Codex appendage

What did the poet change in Judith?

In the origional:

• Judith was an older woman

• Judith was untrained in battle

Why did the poet of Judith make the changes he did?

• Encouragement for the audience to fight against armies

• So that the younger audience of young men would admire it more

• Also, in a way, a propaganda piece

General idea of what Judith is about

• Successes granted to a woman by God

  • Killed in order for the better good

What were some connections from Beowulf to Judith?

• Both focused on warriors fighting against the antagonists

  • Both moved from focus on God to focus on the main charcter

What was the overarching theme of Beowulf?

The struggle between good and evil

What was the symbolism of swords in Beowulf?

• Swords important in the Bible. Sword = truth, God’s Bible.

• Sword is a torch, a light. Ineffective in Beowulf’s Battle. Beowulf throws sword away, and relies on his own strength

• Finds a different sword in Grendel’s Mother’s lair. Picks up Sheol’s “truth”. Battles evil figures in underground lair. Jesus battled Satan

What was the symbolism of the main character’s actions in Beowulf?

• Finds a different sword in Grendel’s Mother’s lair. Picks up Sheol’s “truth”. Battles evil figures in underground lair. Jesus battled Satan

• They think Beowulf died at the 9th hour, just as Jesus did

  • Beowulf symbolizes Jesus, the Savior of Men

What was the role of the female character in Beowulf?

The biggest evil in Beowulf was the female threatening masculinity

What were the general ideas as to what Beowulf was about?

• The fight of good versus evil

• The shifting focus away from God to man

When was Lanval written?

Around 1170-1215 (Later half of the 12th century)

Who wrote Lanval?

• Written under a pen name

• Pen name - Marie de France

Why did the author write Lanval?

• It was political, to make a point

  • To bring to light the issues of society 

What genre is Lanval?

Satire poem

How does the author of Lanval change this typical genre?

Author wrote entirely false things, and had a happy ending where the woman was prominent in.

Why does the author of Lanval make the changes she does to the characters and their actions?

In order to make a political point, to poke fun at society, encourages people to see flaws and fix them

What are the general ideas of what Lanval is about

• Honor, chivalry 

• Getting away from evil society

  • People’s “foils”

What kind of tale is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

Chivalric Romance

What are the primary themes of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

• World versus Christianity 

• Chivalry, values

• Sinful nature

• Visibility of chivalric values 

• Tradition

  • Futility of human constructions

What is the top point of the pentagle?

Five fingers - in complete control

What is the top right point of the pentagle?

Five senses (to be aware and in control of all senses)

What is the bottom right point of the pentagle?

• Five virtues of chivalry

  1. Generosity

  2. Fellowship/Brotherly love/Friendship

  3. Piety (strong sense of religion, adhering to religion)

  4. Chivalry

  5. Courtesy 

What is the bottom left point of the pentagle?

• Five joys of Mary

  1. Annunciation (when the angel tells Mary she is with child)

  2. Nativity

  3. Returns to heaven 

  4. Ascension

  5. Assumption

What is the top left point of the pentagle?

• Five wounds of Christ

  • 1 Crown of thorns

  • 1 Nail in the feet

  • 1 Spear in the side

  • 2 nails in the hands

What are the important poetic elements found in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

• It is a French Lay

• Revitalism poem

• “Bob and Wheel”

  • Reestablish chorus 

  • Alliteration

    • Based off “The Game”

What is the general idea of what Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is about?

• Honor

• Challenge in code of conduct, temptation, and honor

• Forgiveness and the symbolism of Christ in the Green Knight