brit lit

Terms

Define the following terms:

• Epic Poem:

  • Epic Characteristics:

• Epic Hero

• Vast Setting

• Superhuman Feats

• Elevated Style

• Supernatural forces

• Epic Devices:

• Invocation of the Muse

• In Medias Res

• Epic Catalogues

• Long Dialogue Speeches

• Epic Similes

• Paganism vs. Christianity: What are the Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf? The Christian elements in Beowulf are a reverence for God. The Pagan beliefs are the Anglo-Saxon beliefs in fame and Fate which drive Anglo-Saxons to prove their worth in battle.

• Lof: (from beowulf) song of praise, praise, glory, hymn
  legacy/reputation 

• Wyrd: An important concept in Anglo-Saxon culture that correlated to fate and personal destiny 

• Wergild: literally means “man price”

Money paid to murded victim’s family

• Alliteration: the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

• Medieval/Chivalric Romance: A chivalric romance is a genre of medieval literature that features stories of knights, chivalry, courtly love, and adventure. These romances were popular in the late Middle Ages and were often set in the Arthurian world.

• Chivalry: the system of behaviour followed by knights in the medieval period): The chivalric code was based on virtues like duty and honour.

• Courtly Love: a highly conventionalized medieval tradition of love between a knight and a married noblewoman, first developed by the troubadours of southern France and extensively employed in European literature of the time. The love of the knight for his lady was regarded as an ennobling passion and the relationship was typically unconsummated.

• Irony: a situation where there is a contrast between reality and expectations.

• Satire: a way of writing about a flaw or failure in society by inflating it to absurdity

• Paradox:  statement, pair of statements, or even the exploration of an idea that seems contradictory upon first glance. This idea will force the reader to take a deeper look in order to fully understand the meaning.

• Ethos: Credibility (Rhetorical Device)

• Logos: Logic (Rhetorical Device)

• Pathos: Emotion (Rhetorical Device)

• Iambic Pentameter:

• Stanza: a division of a poem consisting of two or more lines arranged together as a unit.

• Aside: On stage, when a character says something to the audience that the other characters do not hear. 

• Apostrophe: a speech or address to a person who is not present or to a personified object

‘

• Allusion: A reference to another work within a piece of writing (an example of this is biblical references)

• Conceit: In metaphysical poetry, the metaphoric comparison which is used throughout the poem.

• Metonymy: figure of speech in which the name of an object or concept is replaced with a word closely related to or suggested by the original, as “crown” to mean “king”

• Trope: the repetitive use of a word, plot device, theme, image, or figure by an author. 

Enemies to lovers (ex. Gawain and the green knight) 

•  Theme: the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work.

•  Motif: recurring images, quotes, or concepts that take on a figurative or symbolic meaning throughout the story

• Metaphor: Comparing two concepts without using “Like” or  “as” 

•  Simile: a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox ).

• Personification: Applying human traits to a non human thing. 

• Tone: The tone is the author’s intended feelings for a work of writing. 

• Obliquity: Being purposefully vague within a text 

• Incongruity: The incongruity of something is its strangeness when considered together with other aspects of a situation.

• Irony

  • Situational: The opposite of what you expect to happen happens 

  • Dramatic: The audience knows something that the characters do not

  • Verbal: The characters say the opposite of what is true. 

• Juxtaposition: A contrast between two things in the text

• Hyperbole: When something is heavily exaggerated to prove a  point

• Foreshadowing: When a future event or plot point is hinted at throughout the text. 
  

Character development:

Provide any helpful information about a character to connect to themes, allusions, etc. 

• Beowulf: A legendary hero renowned for his strength and bravery, he travels to Hrothgar's kingdom to defeat Grendel and his mother, and later faces a monstrous dragon. (DIVINE INTERVENTION)

• Grendel: A monstrous descendant of Cain, Grendel terrorizes Heorot, Hrothgar's mead-hall, with nightly raids.

• Grendel’s Mother:  fearsome creature from the depths of a mere, she seeks revenge for her son's death at Beowulf's hands.

• The Dragon: The Dragon is a monstrous, fire-breathing creature that guards a hoard of treasure. It is a symbol of greed, destruction, and the inevitable march of time.

• Hrothgar: Hrothgar, the aged King of the Danes, is a wise and experienced ruler who seeks Beowulf's help to defeat the monstrous Grendel.

• Wiglaf: A loyal thane who aids Beowulf in his final battle against the dragon, demonstrating true courage and loyalty

• King Arthur: The legendary king of Camelot, a symbol of chivalry and justice

• Sir Gawain: A noble knight of the Round Table, known for his courtesy, loyalty, and bravery.

• Green Knight/Lord Bertilak:  A mysterious, supernatural figure who challenges the knights of Camelot to a dangerous game

• Lady Bertilak: The beautiful wife of the lord of the castle where Gawain stays, who tests his resolve and chivalry. Gives gawain the green girdle flirts with Sir Gawain

🐸

• Titania: The Queen of the Fairies, known for her love of nature and her conflict with Oberon

• Oberon: The King of the Fairies, often mischievous and involved in the affairs of mortals.

• Puck:  A mischievous fairy servant to Oberon, often causing chaos and confusion. Gremlin
    who messes everything up

• Lysander: A young Athenian man in love with Hermia

• Hermia:  young Athenian woman in love with Lysander, defying her father's wishes

• Helena: A young Athenian woman in love with Demetrius

• Demetrius: A young Athenian man initially in love with Hermia, but later enchanted to love Helena

• Egeus: Hermia's father, who wishes for her to marry Demetrius

• Bottom: A comical weaver who is transformed into an donkey’s head by Puck

• Theseus: The Duke of Athens, who oversees the affairs of the lovers and the fairies
  

Works

Identify allusions, themes, and symbols of each of the following texts:

Beowulf

Allusions: 

Biblical Allusions:

• Cain and Abel: Grendel and his mother are often linked to Cain, the biblical figure who murdered his brother Abel. This connection emphasizes their monstrous nature and their exile from society.

• The Great Flood: The poem alludes to the biblical flood, suggesting a cyclical pattern of destruction and renewal.

Norse Mythology:

• Norse Gods and Monsters: The poem draws on Norse mythology, incorporating elements such as giants, dragons, and supernatural creatures.

• Heroic Code: Beowulf's actions and values align with the heroic code found in Norse mythology, emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and the pursuit of glory.

Themes: 

Heroism and Valor: Beowulf is the epitome of a heroic figure, embodying strength, courage, and loyalty.

• Good vs. Evil: The poem pits heroic figures against monstrous antagonists, highlighting the eternal struggle between good and evil.

• Fate and Destiny: The concept of wyrd or fate plays a significant role, influencing the characters' actions and outcomes.

• Loyalty and Comradeship: The importance of loyalty to one's king, clan, and comrades is emphasized throughout the poem.

• The Passage of Time and Mortality: The aging of Hrothgar and the eventual demise of Beowulf underscore the fleeting nature of human life.

• The Role of a Leader: The poem explores the qualities of a good leader, such as wisdom, courage, and the ability to inspire others.

• The Power of Words: The oral tradition and the power of storytelling are central to the poem's narrative.

• Bravery and sacrifice, divine intervention, heroism 

Symbols:

• The Mead-Hall: This symbolizes the heart of a community, a place of feasting, storytelling, and celebration. It represents order, civilization, and the power of the king.

• The Dragon's Hoard: This symbolizes greed, materialism, and the corrupting influence of wealth. It also represents the inevitable passage of time and the decay of empires.

• The Sword: A symbol of power, courage, and the warrior's spirit. It can also represent the destructive potential of human actions.

• The Sea: This symbolizes the unknown, the mysterious, and the forces of nature. It can also represent the cyclical nature of life and death.

• The Golden Torque: This symbolizes loyalty, honor, and the bond between warriors.

• Grendel as evil, Grendel, Beowulf as divine intervention

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Allusions: 

• Arthurian Legend:
  
  

  • King Arthur and the Round Table: The poem is set in the legendary court of King Arthur, drawing on the well-established narrative of chivalric romance.

  • The Ideal Knight: Sir Gawain embodies the chivalric ideal, representing courage, courtesy, and loyalty.

• Medieval Folklore and Romance:
  
  

  • The Green Knight: This mysterious figure is a common motif in medieval folklore, often associated with nature, the supernatural, and the testing of a hero's virtue.

  • The Enchantress: Lady Bertilak, with her seductive charms, is a common trope in medieval romance, representing temptation and the fragility of human resolve.

• Christian Symbolism:
  
  

  • The Pentangle: The five-pointed star on Gawain's shield symbolizes the five virtues of chivalry: fraternity, charity, chastity, courtesy, and piety. These virtues are tested throughout the poem.

  • The Green Belt: The green girdle, a symbol of weakness and compromise, represents a failure to live up to the chivalric ideal. 

Themes: 

• Chivalry and Honor: The poem explores the ideals of chivalry, including courage, courtesy, and loyalty. Sir Gawain is tested in his adherence to these values, and his ultimate failure highlights the complexities of human nature.

• The Nature of Temptation: The poem delves into the nature of temptation and the struggle between desire and virtue. Lady Bertilak's seductive advances challenge Gawain's resolve, forcing him to confront his own limitations.

• The Green World vs. Human Society: The poem contrasts the natural world, symbolized by the Green Knight and the winter landscape, with human society, represented by the court of King Arthur. This contrast raises questions about the relationship between humans and nature.

• The Inevitability of Death: The Green Knight's challenge confronts Gawain with the inevitability of death, forcing him to confront his own mortality.

• The Importance of Truth and Honesty: The poem emphasizes the importance of truth and honesty, as Gawain's failure to fully disclose his actions to the Green Knight leads to a moment of self-reflection and growth. 

Symbols:

• The Green Knight: This enigmatic figure symbolizes the wild, untamed forces of nature, as well as the inevitability of death.

• The Green Belt: This symbol of weakness and compromise represents a failure to live up to the chivalric ideal.

• The Pentangle: This five-pointed star on Gawain's shield symbolizes the five virtues of chivalry: fraternity, charity, chastity, courtesy, and piety.

• The Winter Landscape: The harsh winter landscape reflects the challenges and trials that Gawain faces on his journey.

• The Castle: The castle, with its luxurious surroundings and seductive temptations, symbolizes the world of courtly love and the potential for moral compromise.

• Colour

A Midsummer Night’s Dream:

Allusions: 

• Classical Mythology:
  
  

  • The Lovers' Quarrel: The conflicts and misunderstandings among the young lovers echo the romantic entanglements often found in classical Greek and Roman mythology.

  • The Power of Love: The transformative power of love, both divine and human, is a central theme in many classical myths and plays.

• Folklore and Fairy Tales:
  
  

  • Fairies and Magic: The play draws on folklore and fairy tales to create a magical world inhabited by fairies, sprites, and other supernatural beings.

  • The Mischievous Puck: Puck, with his playful pranks and magical abilities, is reminiscent of mischievous spirits and tricksters found in folklore.

• Theatricality and Performance:
  
  

  • The Mechanicals' Play: The play-within-a-play performed by the bumbling Mechanicals satirizes the conventions of Elizabethan theater and the relationship between actors and their audience.

• Greek Gods/goddesses and mythical stuff

Themes: 

• The Power of Love: Love is a central theme, explored in various forms: romantic love, parental love, and the love of nature. The play shows how love can be both a source of joy and a cause of conflict.

• The Irrationality of Love: The play highlights the irrational and unpredictable nature of love, as characters' affections shift rapidly and inexplicably.

• The Magic of Dreams: Dreams are a powerful force in the play, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. They can bring about transformation, confusion, and enlightenment.

• The Conflict Between Art and Reality: The play explores the tension between the world of art and the world of reality, particularly through the Mechanicals' amateur performance.

• The Nature of Reality: The play raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of illusion. The characters often question what is real and what is a dream.

• The Power of Nature: Nature is a powerful force in the play, influencing the characters' emotions and behaviors. The forest, with its magical properties, is a place of transformation and enchantment.

Symbols: 

• The Forest: This symbolizes a place of magic, transformation, and the unknown. It's a place where the laws of society and rationality don't apply.

• The Love Potion: This symbolizes the irrational and unpredictable nature of love, as well as the power of external forces to influence human emotions.

• The Moon: The moon is associated with madness, illusion, and the supernatural. It also symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time.

• The Mechanicals' Play: This play-within-a-play symbolizes the imperfect nature of human endeavor and the gap between intention and execution.

• The Fairies: These ethereal beings represent the forces of nature and the supernatural. They can be both benevolent and mischievous, highlighting the duality of human nature.

Historical Information 

Identify characteristics of the time period that influence the works:

• Anglo-Saxon culture and traditions: (BEOWULF)

  • Oral Tradition & Epic Poetry

    • Storytelling & performance

    • Heroic code

  • Pagan & Christian Beliefs

    • Pagan mythology

    • Christian morality

  • Social Structure & Values

    • Warrior Culture

    • Hall Culture

• Medieval culture: (SIR GAWAIN & THE GREEN KNIGHT)

  • Feudalism & Chivalry

    • Chivalric code

    • Courtly love

  • Religion & Spirituality

    • Christian Morality

    • Symbolism 

  • Oral Tradition & Courtly Culture

    • Oral Performance

    • Courtly Entertainment

• The medieval culture included the serfdom, knights, chivalric codes of honour. Medieval culture was a rich and diverse era, marked by the development of new forms of art, literature, music, and architecture, as well as the growth of new religious and philosophical ideas.

• Renaissance beliefs & culture:

  • Humanism

    • Focus on human potential

    • Classical learning

  • Individualism

    • The unique individual

  • Secularism

    • Worldly concerns

    • Questioning authority

  • Art & Literature

    • Realism & perspective

    • Classical inspiration

    • Vernacular literature

  • Scientific Inquiry

    • Scientific method

    • Technological advancements

• 17th and 18th century 

  • Enlightenment

    • John Locke’s theory of Tabula Rasa 

    • John Milton’s argument in Areopagitica

    • Jonathan Swift’s satire in connection to British tyranny

    • Age of Reason, Age of Satire, Neoclassical Period

    • Characteristics of the Age of Reason:

rational thought, scientific inquiry, and skepticism of tradition

• Metaphysical Characteristics: 

  • Obliquity

  • Wit

  • Conceit

  • Symbolism

  • Carpe Diem

  • Juxtaposition

  • Direct language

  • Imagery

• Satire Characteristics: 

  • Irony

  • Hyperbole/exaggeration

  • Sarcasm

  • Humor

  • Incongruity

• Rhetorical Appeals/Devices:

  • Ethos

  • Logos

  • Pathos

  • Implicit argument

  • Explicit argument

Some Additional Things You Should Know *Sample questions to demonstrate, below.

• Be able to compare and contrast two texts read this semester. This can include any shorter pieces like the journals

• Be able to answer a short answer question in a one sentence thesis statement that addresses the “so what?”

• Understand how to quote deconstruct, embed, and analyze quotes - application 

• Understand the influence of culture during the time period and its impact of the texts we read

• Know how to cite. Poem= line numbers, Play=Act.scene.line, Book=page number

Sample/Practice Questions:

1. Which two texts read throughout this semester illustrate the motif of redemption. Explain using specific examples to support your claim. 

• We see the motif of redemption pop up in SGGK when Sir Gawait continuously proved his chivalry to redeem himself from his flaws and mistakes. A major example is in his confrontation with the Greek Knight, he redeemed himself by apologizing and carrying the weight of guilt after he realized his sin.

• The motif of redemption is also carried out in Beowulf as he continuously goes back to fight the monsters in the story for redemption for glory. An example in this text is when Beowulf goes to fight Grendel’s mother.

2. How do we see the role of warrior vs. the role of king in Beowulf? Why might this be important to Anglo-Saxon customs and beliefs? Explain, using textual and historical evidence to support your claim.

• We see the role of warrior vs. the role of king in Beowulf as He is first a warrior and then is nominated a king. This shows that in Anglo-Saxon culture, they believed that a well-proven warrior was a well-prove king and ruler because after Beowulf defeated Grendel, that was when he won the crown. 

3. How do we see the influence of humanism inform Renaissance poetry or drama? Explain your answer using texts read this semester. 

4. Which of the following is a device of an epic poem?
   

   1. High and lofty language

   2. Catalogues

   3. Conceit 

   4. Supernatural hero
      

5. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is written in verse.
   

   1. True 

   2. False

These questions are practice questions from chatgpt based on this study guide:

a) In Beowulf, how does the theme of fate (Wyrd) influence the actions of the characters? Provide one example. (2 points)

In Beowulf, the theme of fate influences the action of the characters because they believe that their fates are predetermined. Beowulf, for example, goes into the battle with the dragon knowing that he will die, but he believes that he has to do it anyway.

b) How does Sir Gawain and the Green Knight explore the theme of chivalry and honor? Provide one specific example from the text. (2 points)

SGGK explores the theme of honor and chivalry through the central story of the book. Gawain’s chivalry is constantly tested. This is shown in his final battle with the green knight.

c) In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, how do the magical elements (like the love potion) represent the irrational nature of love? Provide one example. (2 points)

In A midsummer night’s dream, the magical elements represent the irrational nature of love because they do not make sense to us in  our view of the world. 

Compare and contrast the themes of heroism in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. What makes the two heroes (Beowulf and Sir Gawain) different in how they approach challenges? (5 points)

Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both brave and approach challenges with minimal fear, but the difference between them is why they face those challenges. Sir Gawain does it to “uphold his chivalry” while Beowulf does it to be heroic, and because of the concept of fate or Wyrd. 

Analyze the character of Beowulf. How does he embody both Christian and Pagan values? Provide specific examples from the text. (4 points)

Beowulf embodies both Christian and Pagan values because of his role in the book. As for christian values, he is a christ-like figure of divine intervention to the Danes. However, he also embodies the pagan values of heroism, bravery and victory. 

How does Anglo-Saxon culture, as demonstrated in Beowulf, influence the characterization of Beowulf as a hero? Consider values such as warrior culture, fate, and honor in your answer. (4 points)

Beowulf is characterized as the perfect hero in Anglo-Saxon culture. This viewpoint shows how the Anglo-Saxons viewed the perfect hero and their values in a hero. 

Discuss how the theme of temptation is explored in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. How does Sir Gawain struggle with his own temptation during the story? (4 points)

In the story, Gawain is tempted by the lady of the castle. Gawain, however, must reject her advances because of a deal he made with the lord of the castle. Gawain struggles with this throughout the story. 

Write a one-sentence thesis statement answering the following question:

How do the Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf reflect the dual influences on Anglo-Saxon culture? (2 points)

In Beowulf, the pagan and christian elements reflect the contrasting beliefs of the changing Anglo-Saxon culture through the themes of self sacrifice and divine intervention. 

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, what role does the Green Belt play in Gawain's journey and what does it symbolize?

The green girdle symbolizes Gawain’s cowardice in the story, because he takes it and does not give it to the Lord, and wears it to the duel with the green knight. 

What is the significance of Grendel’s lineage being traced back to Cain in Beowulf?

Cain is a biblical figure who committed the first murder. This is important because it is a biblical allusion, showing Grendel’s characteristics based on his lineage. 

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight says, "I come in peace, to test your courage." What does this line reveal about the nature of the Green Knight's challenge to Gawain?

This quote reveals the green knight’s intentions when confronting Gawain. He was never aiming to really hurt Gawain, but he did come to test his courage. 

In both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the protagonists face supernatural forces. Compare how these forces affect the heroes and their journeys.

These supernatural forces both are the obstacles that the heroes are trying to overcome in their stories. 

Chivalry and knightly virtue are central themes in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Write a thesis-driven essay discussing how Sir Gawain embodies the ideals of chivalry throughout his journey. How does his adherence to these ideals conflict with his personal flaws, and what does this conflict suggest about the limitations of the chivalric code?

In SGGK, Sir Gawain tries to embody the ideals of chivalry, which contrasts with his personal flaw of cowardice, showing that the chivalric code is not universally attainable. 

The concept of fate versus free will is explored in both Beowulf and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Write a thesis-driven essay exploring how each text examines the tension between fate and free will. How do the characters grapple with these concepts, and what do these struggles reveal about the cultures from which these texts originated?

In Beowulf, the theme of fate vs free will is shown through Beowulf’s actions throughout the story, because   

1. Major characteristics of an epic poem include the following:

   • Epic Hero: A larger-than-life figure who embodies the values of their culture.

   • Vast Setting: The action takes place in a wide-ranging geographical backdrop, often including multiple nations or realms.

   • Superhuman Feats: The hero performs extraordinary deeds that are beyond the capabilities of normal individuals.

   • Elevated Style: The poem is often written in a grand, lofty tone, using formal language.

   • Supernatural Forces: Elements such as gods, monsters, or otherworldly beings often play a significant role in the narrative.

2. The theme of fate (Wyrd) influences Beowulf's actions as he faces challenges with the understanding that his fate is predetermined, accepting his mortality but showing courage and honor in his battles.

3. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Belt symbolizes Gawain's flaw and sin, representing his cowardice and his failure to fully uphold the chivalric code.

4. Grendel's lineage tracing back to Cain is an allusion used in the poem to demonstrate the evil nature of Grendel, linking him to the consequences of sin and exile from society.

5. The five virtues represented by the Pentangle on Gawain's shield are:

   • Fraternity

   • Charity

   • Chastity

   • Courtesy

   • Piety.