Beowulf Test

"Eye on an Era", "Critical Thinking", "Before you Read", "After you Read", "Exploring the Classics", and "Connecting Eras"

In "To the Student" what 6 practices will help you think critically, make connections, and understand literary elements of each selection you read?

148 years

In the Anglo-Saxon Period, "Eye on an Era," how many years after the Germanic Angle and Saxon Tribes arrived in southeast Britain, did St. Augustine arrive and convert King Ethelbert to Christianity?

It comes from Anglo-Saxon culture and means "slaves".

Where does the word "Britons" come from and what does it mean?

The Britons alone didn't have enough troops and were too scattered to fight off the attacks.

Why didn't the Britons push the Anglo-Saxon people out of Britain?

The Germanic tribes of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.

What groups took advantage of Rome's diminishing presences in Briton?

until victory or death

Anglo-Saxons were loyal, fierce warriors. If instructed, they were expected to fight for how long?

missionaries

Anglo-Saxons worshiped gods and goddesses of the natural world, who traveled to Britain to convert these pagans?

Charlemagne

Who would go on to unite most of Europe under his empire?

Vikings from Scandinavia

At the end of the eighth century, the various kingdoms of England had a common enemy. Who was it?

1040

When did MacBeth defeat Duncan?

By finding similarities and differences between their own lives and what they are reading.

How do readers find relevance in literature?

They become more meaningful as you learn about the historical context of the work of literature.

How do comparisons and contrasts become more meaningful when reading literature?

Scandinavia

Where does the story of Beowulf take place?

England between 700-750 CE

where and when was Beowulf written?

Old English

What language is Beowulf written in?

a poem celebrating the life and death pf a heroic figure

What is a heroic elegy?

a long poem in the oral tradition telling of a hero's deeds

What is an epic narrative?

a heroic elegy and an epic narrative

Beowulf has characteristics of both...

the repetition of sounds at the beginning of words, to create a musical effect and emphasize ideas

What is alliteration?

oral poets

What are scops?

1000 CE

When was the first manuscript of Beowulf created?

It was nearly destroyed in a fire.

What happened to the first manuscript of Beowulf?

1815

When was Beowulf finally published?

Latin

What language was Beowulf translated into during the Middle Ages?

Latin was the language of scholars and the church.

Why was is translated into Latin during the Middle Ages?

He and his men had been given better beds and were asleep in a different hall.

Why didn't Beowulf try and stop Grendel's mother the first time she came to Herot where the Danes slept?

To get final revenge on Grendel for his vicious attacks - to repay him for his visits.

Why does Beowulf search for Grendel and cut off his head?

The Geats are much more optimistic and loyal than the Danes are. (The Geats are ready to avenge Beowulf's death)

The Geats never leave the lake, the Danes do. Compare their actions, what conclusions can you draw about the two groups?

a battle shield shaped of iron

As Beowulf began to plan the Geats' revenge, what did he have especially made for the impending battle with the dragon?

No, because Higlac's son was alive and the Geats could choose a rightful king.

When Higlac died in the war against the Frasians, Higlac's widow offered Beowulf the crown (instead of her young son,) did he take it?

He is older now than he was before.

What does Beowulf acknowledge in his final boast?

He saw his king suffering and couldn't break the code of honor.

Why did Wiglaf remain when the others fled from the battle with the dragon?

They swore to repay Beowulf for his kindness.

In Wiglaf's memory, what did Beowulf's warriors swear to do?

no

Does Beowulf have an heir?

his golden necklace, gold-covered helmet, rings, and mail shirt

What did Beowulf give Wiglaf while he (Beowulf) lay dying?

Beowulf's soldiers who fled the battle.

Who were the "men without courage," the "traitors"?

Wiglaf

Who spoke to the "traitors" angrily?

death

Wiglaf says (?) would be better than living a life of disgrace.

They were left in the tower Beowulf asked be built.

What happened to all the riches Beowulf and Wiglaf claimed from the dragons lair?

valiantly in the Frisian War

Beowulf is King of Geatland because he fought...

produced; created

spawned

hideout

lair

making amends for a wrong

reparation

events that signify evil or good by their occurrence

omens

pointed, front part of a boat that rises out of the water

prow

tendons or ligaments

sinews

long journey made to visit a sacred place or pay homage

pilgrimage

to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrongdoing

avenge

sheath for a sword

scabbard

handle of a sword

hilt

wild dog

jackal

people banished from their native land

exiles

reddened from emotion or exertion

flushed

in a way that's hesitant or wavering

haltingly

blame; disgrace

reproach

refusing with contempt

scorning

any document, artifact, archive, or piece of evidence that provides information about past events and circumstances

historical record

fermented, alcoholic drink made from honey

mead

pagan, not Christian

heathan

banner originally used to show archers the direction of the wind

vane

type of armor made from tiny steel rings, woven together into a fabric

mail

chains or shackles placed on the ankles

fetters

inhabitants of Frisia, an ancient region in northwestern Europe

Frisians

A king was often called a ____-_____ because he was expected to be generous and dish out spoils of war to his thanes.

ring-giver

ancient; commanding respect

horary

I think Beowulf will react with much strength and power letting his opponent know he is a force to be reckoned with.

Based on other heroic episodes you've read or seen, how do you think Beowulf will react to his next challenge?

The poet may make Beowulf's power temporarily faulty, or make Beowulf come inches to death.

How might the poet create suspense in Beowulf's last battle?

Yes, I understand why they consider it a historical record. Beowulf was a hero who turned things in Herot for the better, like other historical figures.

Compare Beowulf to accounts you have read about historical figures. Can you understand why scholars consider Beowulf a historical record? Why or why not?

His men deserted him because they were scared for their lives. I can conclude that these men did not have the warrior/Anglo-Saxon mentality of fighting until death.

Why do Beowulf's men desert him? What conclusions can you draw about them based on their actions?

Wiglaf helps Beowulf because he is holding up his code/oath to defend his king until victory or death. His actions foreshadow him becoming king/the "next Beowulf".

Why does Wiglaf help Beowulf? What do his actions foreshadow?

skilled and confident in battle, boastful, limitless

Young Beowulf:

beaten warrior, not as unbeatable due to age, more mature, knows his limits

Old Beowulf:

strong and courageous, a king, lived by code of honor

Both Young and Old Beowulf:

625 BC - 476 AD (about 1000 years)

Roman Empire ruled from...

social and economic collapse -> left Britons defenseless against other countries

With the removal of the Romans, there was...

410 AD to 1066 AD

Anglo-Saxons ruled England from...

poetic story involving a hero, villains, and a group who was saved

epic

43 CE

When did the Romans lay claim to the British Isles?

410

When did Roman rule end in Britain?

Germanic groups such as the Anglos, Saxons, and Jutes

What groups invaded Briton after the Romans left?

Anglo-Saxons

What group put down permanent roots on the British Isles?

No, because it was not a time of intellectual stagnation and brutality.

Is "Dark Ages," an accurate description of this time of Anglo/Saxons in Briton?

Thor (Thor's Day)

What Anglo God is "Thursday" named for?

after their conversion to Christianity

When did the Anglo/Saxons develop a written language?

men

Did the men or women cook the meat in the Anglican culture?

mead

What was the beverage of choice in the Anglican culture?

In the same manner that the Britons fought them - the chieftains of several of the Anglo-Saxon settlements on the British Isles banded together against the invading Vikings

How did Anglo/Saxon tribes fight the vikings?

Alfred the Great

What king helped defeat the vikings?

the northeastern region of the island

Where did Vikings retreat to after being beaten by the Anglo/Saxons?

Harold Godwinson; The Battle of Hastings

Who took control of Briton in 1066 CE, what was the battle called?

their success in merging the different kingdoms of Britain into one unified force

What was the biggest contribution of the Anglo Saxon people?

demon descended from Cain, terrorizes Herot, killed by Beowulf

Grendel

swamp hag, terrorizes Herot after Grendel is killed, stops when Beowulf chops her head off

Grendel's Mother

a hero who fights Grendel, Grendel's Mother and a fire breathing dragon; protagonist

Beowulf

a young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all of the other warriors run away; adheres to the heroic code better than Beowulf's other retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf

Wiglaf

King of the Danes

Hrothgar

King of the Geats

Higlac

An ancient, powerful serpent, the dragon guards a horde of treasure in a hidden mound. Beowulf's fight with the ______ constitutes the third and final part of the epic.

Dragon

Hrothgar's people from Denmark

Danes

a people in Sweden; Beowulf becomes their king and rules them for 50 years

Geats