Classics Quiz 2

Black sidekick trope

When Black actors are in sidekick roles which creates an illusion of inclusion without challenging the white status quo

Protagonist

The leading/major character in a film or text

Antagonist

Opposes the protagonist, motivations can be complex and not always evil

Sankofa Principle

(Return, go, look) a chicken looking backward with an egg on its back, about looking backward to move forwards, from Akan community west africa

Ancestral Plane

The spiritual realm where ancestors connect after death. Symbolizes ancestral remembrance and spiritual guidance. Limited similarities to underworld

Bast

Black Panther Goddess, Protecter of the panther clan, based on egyptian lioness

Titsiyaa

Medicinal herb, the commanche word for flower, reduces blood loss and reduces body temperature, making the taker invisible to the predator

Kühtaamia

“1st hunt”, the commanche word for “big hunt”, serves as a right of passage for warriors

Mupitsi

Ultimate impossible adversary, Commanche myth of Bogeyman, “Big maneater owl”

Scyflings

The ruling clan of the Swedes from central Sweden, opposed the Geats from southern SScyweden

Scydlings

Ruling clan of the danes, for eastern denmark and southern tip of Sweden

Waegmundings

The prominent clan of swedes in Beowulf

Scop

memorizers of music and poetry, provoked Grendall to attack Heorot by scopes song which was a cosmogony

Kennings

characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry, periphrastic expression, using 2 words for a single noun. EX: battle sweat = blood. Shows love for metaphors and layered meaning

Litotes

characteristic of anglo-saxon poetry, affirming a word by negating an opposite, EX: not bad = good. Shows modesty and understaement is a sign of strength.

Etymology of Beowulf, Ecgtheow, Wealtheow, Hrothgar, Unferth, Bödas Bjarki

Beowulf - bee eater/honeyeater/bear

Ecgtheow - sword servant

Wealtheow - servant of goodness

Hrothgar - servant of spears

Unferth - discord

Bödas Bjarki - battle bear

Gilgamesh’s named weapons

Might of heroes - axe

Voice of heroes - breastplate

Bow of Anshan - bow

Berserk Etymology

old norse for bear shirt/bear of shirt, nakedness as a psychological weapon, dedicated to battle/war god, invulnerable

Comitatus

code of loyalty that benefits lord and thane. Etymology - companion. Thanes fight for lord in exchange for land, gifts, and wealth

“Apres moi, le dulge”

“After me, the flood” or I dont care what happens to anyone after I am gone

Thane

loyal warrior who fights for and serves lord for land and gifts, important to the Anglo-Saxon social structure as they are bound to lord by comitatus (code of loyalty)

Daedalus

great inventor who escaped from king Minos with his wings

Hephaestus

lame blacksmith god who made armor for achilles

Giants Sword

Found by Beowulf in Grendalls mom’s cave, melts after decapitating G’s mother, superhuman origin, shows heroic strength

Naegling

Possibly the sword of Hygaelic’s father, given to Beowulf from Hygaelic (King of geats) to destroy the dragon. Breaks as Beowulfs hand is “too strong”, can’t contain his strength

Hrunting

Sword name means “hunting”, a manmade sword that had "never failed anyone” given to Beowulf by Unferth, can’t kill Grendalls mother

Weland

Old Norse and legendary blacksmith who kills the king’s sons, makes drinking mugs from their skulls, jewels from their eyes, and a brooch from their teeth.

Sigemund

hero in Norse mythology, celebrated for heroic deeds like slaying dragon and claiming it’s treasure

King’s 3 duties

Thrive on fathers throne, defend the nation, provide a leader

Fortitudo

necessary quality for a king/hero, strength, courage, resilience

Sapienta

necessary quality for a king/hero, wisdom, virtue most important for kings

Wiglaf

name means “battle survivor”, beowulf’s most loyal thane, helped him defeat the dragon, poised to be king when beowulf dies

Hygd

name means “thoughtful/intelligent”, wife of Hygaelic, contrasted with initially bad queen Modthryth

Modthryth

name means “strong-willed”, bad single woman, but then good wife

Cultural Misogyny

prejudice against women, inherent in social systems and beliefs, expressed in media, language, and social systems. Leads to objectification of women, bad stereotypes, and men being seen as superior

Heremod

name means "warrior/fury of war”, Danish king who falls because of his pride, banished by his own people, fled to the Jutes who killed him. Help up as bad example for Beowulf

Shield Sheafson

opening of an epic, fatherless boy who was accpeted as king by childless king