Anglo-Saxons, Beowulf, Chaucer & Enlightenment Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from Anglo-Saxon culture, Beowulf, Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, Writing Skills, and the Age of Classicism/Enlightenment.

Anglo-Saxons

Groups including Saxons, Angles, and Jutes, found in north Germany, Denmark, and Schleswig-Holstein.

Angles (Angli)

An Anglo-Saxon group from Peninsula Anglia, known for fishing, whose name is related to 'narrow' or hook-like shape.

Saxons

An Anglo-Saxon group from Saxony, linked to the weapon 'seax'.

Seax

A knife that Saxons were known for using, from the Proto-Indo-European word sek ('to cut').

Jutes

The least known among the three Anglo-Saxon tribes, possibly from continental Denmark (modern Jutland), sometimes meaning 'Giants' or 'The Great Ones'.

Wyrd

A central idea in Anglo-Saxon belief, meaning fate or destiny.

Lor

An Anglo-Saxon cultural concept referring to being remembered; a person's deeds are preserved through stories.

Comitatus

An Anglo-Saxon bond of loyalty between a lord and his warriors.

Funeral Pyre

A ceremonial burning of the dead, often for kings or heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture.

Cain

A biblical figure; Grendel is described as a descendant, representing evil and exile.

Julius Caesar

Roman who arrived in Britain 55
T54BC.

Emperor Claudius

Roman who arrived in Britain 43 AD.

Roman Influence on Britain

Led to the religious shift from Paganism to Christianity.

Fall of Rome in Britain

Occurred in the 5th century, after 370 years of Roman rule.

Beowulf

Hero of the Geats, known for bravery, strength, and loyalty.

Hrothgar

King of the Danes, wise and respected ruler of Heorot Hall.

Hrothulf

Hrothgar 's nephew, sometimes associated with succession and politics in Beowulf.

Hygelac

King of the Geats, Beowulf’s lord and uncle.

Beow

Ancestor of Hrothgar, part of the lineage Scyld Beow Healfdene Hrothgar.

Grendel

Monstrous descendant of Cain, terrorizes Heorot Hall in Beowulf.

Grendel 's Mother

Vengeful creature seeking revenge for her son in Beowulf.

Wiglaf

Loyal warrior who aids Beowulf in the fight against the dragon.

The Dragon

The final antagonist in Beowulf, represents fate and mortality.

Bard / Scop

Poets or storytellers who preserve history and heroic tales.

Thane

A warrior or noble who serves a lord.

Dane / Geat

People groups in Beowulf; Danes are ruled by Hrothgar, Geats by Hygelac.

Kinsman

A close relative, often bound by loyalty and honor.

Mead

An alcoholic drink, central in celebrations and hall gatherings.

Epic

A long narrative poem, often featuring a hero of legendary significance, encompassing the values and culture of the society.

Geoffrey Chaucer

Known as the 'Father of English Literature,' born in London (1340s 1400), who helped shape Middle English.

The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer 's famous work, written in the Medieval Period, reflecting feudalism and pre-print culture, with a frame story of pilgrims.

The Prioress 's Tale

A story where a young boy's singing hymn to the Virgin Mary miraculously continues after his murder by non-Christians; themes include innocence and miracles.

The Friar 's Tale

A story about a corrupt summoner taken to hell by a demon, illustrating divine justice for greed and hypocrisy.

The Wife of Bath 's Tale

A story where a knight learns women most desire sovereignty over their husbands and lovers, exploring female autonomy and power in marriage.

The Miller 's Tale

A humorous story of infidelity where Nicholas and Alisoun trick John, full of mishaps and social satire.

The Pardoner 's Tale

A story where three men seeking to kill Death are destroyed by their own greed, showcasing the destructiveness of avarice and hypocrisy.

Rudiments

Basics.

Encumbrance

Burden.

Expedient

Advantage.

Famine

Food shortage.

Collateral

Related factor.

Repine

To express discontent.

Prodigious

Of great size.

Thesis Statement

The main idea of an essay, supported by evidence.

Age of Classicism / Enlightenment

Focuses on logic and reason, rejecting superstition, and characterized by witty satire in literature.

Empiricism

A philosophical approach emphasizing observation and experience, characteristic of the Enlightenment.

Objectivity

The quality of being unbiased and factual, a focus during the Enlightenment.

Jonathan Swift

An Irish satirist (1667 1745), author of 'Gulliver 's Travels' and 'A Modest Proposal'.

Gulliver 's Travels

A work by Jonathan Swift that mocked stereotypes.

A Modest Proposal

A satirical work by Jonathan Swift on poverty and politics.

Essay

A piece of writing discussing a subject, with purposes to explain, inform, argue, or entertain.

Subject

The general topic of a piece of writing.

Theme

The specific message or underlying idea of a piece of writing.

Irony

An element of satire where the opposite of the intended meaning is conveyed.

Sarcasm

Harsh, mocking irony.

Parody

Imitation for ridicule.

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what is meant.

Situational Irony

An unexpected outcome or event that is contrary to what was expected.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something a character does not.

Understatement

Representing something as less than it is.

Overstatement

Exaggeration for effect.

Incongruity

Something absurd or out of place, used in satire.

Reversal

The opposite of the expected order, used in satire.

Purpose of Satire

To expose flaws, encourage reform, and entertain.