Beowulf Context and Terms

Question 1

Comitatus

Answer 1

a band of warriors who pledge themselves to a lord. The lord supplied them with treasures and the warriors pledge their lives to the lord.

Question 2

Old English

Answer 2

Also known as Anglo-Saxon, the language is dated from 500-1100 AD.

Question 3

Middle English

Answer 3

(1100-1500 AD) after the Norman invasion in 1066, English evolved into an Old English. After the Black Death killed about one third of the English population, the merchant classes grew in economic importance, and English increased in importance .

Question 4

Early Modern English

Answer 4

(1500-1800) Two major factors served to separate Middle and Modern English: the Great Vowel Shift and the printing press. The Great Vowel Shift was a change in pronunciation. Because of the printing press, more books were published because they were cheaper than handwritten copies.

Question 5

Late Modern English

Answer 5

(1800-present) The difference between Early Modern and Late Modern is vocabulary. Many Spanish and French words have been added to English, along with completely new phrases. English is constantly evolving, each year new words are added.

Question 6

wyrd

Answer 6

Old English term for fate. The Anglo-Saxons believed people could make choices but once those choices were made.

Question 7

paganism

Answer 7

Broad term for polytheistic religions. The Anglo-Saxons worshipped gods similar to the Norse gods.