Beowulf Background

Question 1

When was the Anglo-Saxon period?

Answer 1

449-1066 AD

Question 2

How did the Anglo-Saxon period end?

Answer 2

Battle of Hastings; William the Conqueror of France invaded England

Question 3

Who was the first to inhabit the Anglo-Saxon area?

Answer 3

The Iberians (700 BC)

Question 4

Who inhabited the Anglo-Saxon area in 500 BC

Answer 4

The Celts

Question 5

What group brought Pagan beliefs to the Anglo-Saxon area?

Answer 5

The Romans and Julius Caesar (55/54 BC - 410 AD)

Question 6

What Germanic tribes invaded the Anglo-Saxon area?

Answer 6

Jutes (449), Saxons (447), and Angles (547)

Question 7

What time periods passed before the age of the Anglo-Saxons?

Answer 7

Stone age, Bronze age, and Iron age

Question 8

In what age did the Anglo-Saxons exist?

Answer 8

Dark Ages

Question 9

What was the age immediately after the Anglo-Saxons?

Answer 9

Middle Ages (Medieval Times)

Question 10

What were the Pagan names for the days of the week?

Answer 10

Monday = Moon’s Day
Tuesday = Tiw’s Day (God of War)
Wednesday = Woden’s Day (Chief God)
Thursday = Thor’s Day (God of Thunder)
Friday = Frigg’s Day (Goddess of Love)
Saturday = Saturn’s Day (Roman god, Kronos equivalent)
Sunday = Sun’s Day

Question 11

What can we infer about the Beowulf Poet based on the added elements when transcribing?

Answer 11

They were likely a Christian monk

Question 12

What is the earliest historical form of the English language?

Answer 12

Old English

Question 13

How and when was Old English brought to Great Britain?

Answer 13

By the Anglo-Saxons in the mid 5th century

Question 14

How were Anglo-Saxon stories passed down?

Answer 14

Oral tradition (not many could read)

Question 15

How were stories performed or recited?

Answer 15

By a Scop with a musician called a Gleeman

Question 16

What was an Anglo-Saxon name for warriors?

Answer 16

Thanes

Question 17

What is an adjective expressing a quality of a person/thing?

Answer 17

Epithet

Question 18

What is a metaphorical description replacing a noun that describes it (sky-candle = sun)

Answer 18

Kenning

Question 19

What is significant about Beowulf?

Answer 19

Marked the beginning of English literature

Question 20

In what language is Beowulf written?

Answer 20

Old english

Question 21

Where is Beowulf’s oldest surviving copy housed

Answer 21

The British Library in London

Question 22

What is the setting of Beowulf?

Answer 22

6th century Scandinavia (present-day Sweden and Denmark)

Question 23

Who is the King of the Danes?

Answer 23

Hrothgar

Question 24

What monster terrorizes the Danes?

Answer 24

Grendel

Question 25

Who is the King of the Geats (and of Beowulf)

Answer 25

Higlac

Question 26

Who is a Geat who arrives to help the Danes?

Answer 26

Beowulf

Question 27

What is the greatest mead hall in the land of the Danes?

Answer 27

Herot

Question 28

Which of Hrothgar's men challenges Beowulf?

Answer 28

Unferth

Question 29

Who is an old friend of Beowulf?

Answer 29

Brecca

Question 30

What is the first section of Beowulf called?

Answer 30

The Battle with Grendel

Question 31

What is the second section of Beowulf called?

Answer 31

The Battle with Grendel's Mother

Question 32

What is the third section of Beowulf called?

Answer 32

The Battle with the Dragon