Beowulf Flashcards
repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close to one another
alliteration
a part used to express the whole or vice versa
synecdoche
pause or break within a line of poetry, usually indicated by the natural rhythm of the language
caesura
special poetic renaming of things
kennings
the naming of a person, or human characteristic by some object or attribute with which is closely associated
metonymy
poem that mourns the death of a person or laments something last
elegy
story in which the characters, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts
allegory
killed using a giant’s magical sword
Grendel’s Mother
embodies the knowledge of the price paid for physical and spiritual survival
Dragon
shows loyalty even though he faces certain death
Wiglaf
killed with Beowulf’s bare hands
Grendel
character responsible for mortally wounding Beowulf
Dragon
Jealous of Beowulf’s fame
Unferth
Demonic creature that weapons are useless against
Grendel
attacks and kills 30 men
Grendel
Go seeking fame
Beowulf
Defeated in underwater lair
Grendel’s Mother
2 types of dominant people during this period in British history
Anglo Saxons, Celtics
Where did King Arthur come from?
Welsh Chieftan who fought Anglo Saxons
What book was the Seafarer published in?
Exeter Book
What people were thought highly of because they promoted hereos
Bards
After the Romans left, what are 2 things that happened in Britian
Loss of central government
protection from invaders
Beowulf’s tale of conquest is an example of the Pagan idea to see the fame
fame
What does the dragon represent (Pagan and Christian)
Pagan- destiny
Christian- Valley of the shadow of death
2 Characteristics of Anglo Saxons and Celtic literature
Celtics- fantasy genre, stories of adventure
Anglo Saxon- male dominant, written in Olde English
2 things that King Alfred is known for (short answer)
rid the country of the Danes
unified England with
Christianity
3 of the major 5 influences of the English literature (short answer)
Latin, Greek, French
2 of the 5 Seafarer Topics (short answer)
Hopes and Life experiences
3 examples of the number 3 in Beowulf (short answer)
3 struggles against forces of evil
3 monsters in demonic shapes
3 sites of fear
4 of the 8 parts of the Epic Hero cycle (short answer)
The quest- the hero is charged with at least one quest
The test- the hero is tested to prove he is worthy of the quest
Supernatural settings- the hero finds himself in supernatural worlds
Low point- the cycle reaches a low point in the action. Sometimes the hero feels defeated and appears to give up on his quest
