Beowulf Test Flashcards
This is how Anglo-Saxon literature acutally began
Oral Tradition
The storyteller in and Anglo-Saxon tribe was called
The Scop
Anglo-Saxon Men were expected to face danger adn joy with this same attitude
Stoic/Lack of emotion
Anglo-Saxons valued ——— and often included these ties when introducing themselves
Family ties/Ancestry
Physical strength was a requirement but so was this train and the two do not usually go together
Intelligence/Mental Shrewdness
The Anglo-Saxons have a strong belief that this shapes their lives
Fate
Hrothgar’s famous nickname, “Famous Ring Giver” shows the Anglo-Saxon belief in —— and its rewards
Loyalty to the King
There is no whining in Beowulf because Anglo-Saxons valued this
Emotional Stability
This type of poem mourns the loss of someone or laments the loss of something
Elegy
The first part of the Seafarer is the story of a man’s life. Where?
On the ocean
The book containing the Seafarer is called
The Exeter book
“Wondering what fate has willed and will do” shows the influence of this
Paganism
The three threats of fate are illness, age, and ——
The enemy sword
The narrator of the poem mourns the passing of time when the ——- flourished in glory
Kingdom of the Earth
Despite hardships, the narrator continues to sail because of this
Passionate curiosity
The narrator of the Seafarer is this
A Sailor
“Who could understand in ignorant ease, what we others suffer as the paths of exile stretch endlessly on” implies this
Only sailors know the irresistible pull of the sea
“Alone in a world clear of love” expresses this feeling
Isolation
The speaker in The Wife’s lament mourns the loss of her husband and her home, this type of poem is called this
An Elegy
“Blithe was our bearing” is how the wife describes her life with her husband. Blithe means this
Happiness/Cheerful
This is what initiated the wife’s exile
lies
The wife assumes her husband is now feeling this way
Sad and lonely
The phrase “Summer’s sentinel” meaning a cuckoo bird is an example of this
A Kenning
The speaker in the Wanderer misses this the most
Companionship
The pain of homelessness is this is this for the Wanderer
The Theme
“And now remains only, for warriors’ memorial” shows the influence of this
Redemption
“The longing for loved one: his grief renewed” shows the influence of this
Isolation
“When I reflect on the fates of men…” shows the influence of this
Paganism
The Roman Invasion was led by this man in 55 BC
Julius Caesar
During Roman rule this began to take hold and displace the Pagan religion
Christianity
The Angles and Saxons were from
Germany
Prior to Alfred the Great, all written language was in this language
Latin
Who is Beowulf’s father
Ecgtheow
Who helped Beowulf at the end
Wiglaf
What is the name of Beowulf’s sword
Nageling
What was the name of the sword that Unferth gave Beowulf to fight Grendel’s mother
Hrunting
Who was the monster
Grendel
Who is Hrothgar
The King of the Danes
What is the name of the Mead hall
Herot
Who is Higlac
The king of the Geats and Beowulf’s uncle
What type of story is Beowulf
an Epic
Beowulf honors this to the King of the Danes who helped Beowulf’s father
Debt of loyalty
When Beowulf grabs Grendel’s arm, Grendel feels this for the first time
Fear
Grendel is the descendant of who
Cain
Where is Beowulf from
The Land of the Geats
Grendel never dared to touch the throne of Hrothgar because it is
Protected by God
Unferth berates Beowulf saying that he had a swimming match with Brecca and that Beowulf recklessly risked his life and that
Beowulf lost the match
The element of surprise is worth the sacrifice in Beowulf’s fight against Grendel is illustrated by this
He let one of the Geats die
The quote that Grendel “had bewitched all men’s swords, laid spell…” is an example of this Anglo-Saxon belief
Supernatural
To contrast a good leader with a bad leader, the additional stories of whom were told
Siegmund/Hermod
“It was the Dane’s custom to be ready for war, wherever they rested” illustrates this aspect fo Anglo-Saxon life
Everything could change overnight
Who is Esher
Hrothgar’s trusted advisor, best friend, he was killed by Grendel
Beowulf’s descent into a fiery lake filled with monsters in order to fight evil can be symbolically compared to what
Descent into hell
The futility of acquiring worldly possession and the greed of a society that places a premium on material wealth can be illustrated in this event
Slave stealing single cup from the Dragon’s treasure
“He accused himself of breaking God’s law, of bringing the almighty’s anger down on his people” illustrates Beowulf’s first thought is to do this
Take responsibility and blame
Wiglaf calls the loyal followers cowards and tells them they will never share in the treasure and have brought disgrace on their families because
They hid in the woods while Wiglaf/Beowulf fought the dragon
Beowulf dies in his attempt to save his country and his death to save his country and his death brings war the the land is an example of this literary device
Irony
Your were carried in your shop across the whale road to this country of mine. Whale Road is an example of this
Kenning
“…And yet as a boy, He was scorned, the Geats considered him worthless” Illustrates this about Beowulf
He was not born to heroism but grew to it
” An the the Battle’s only survivor swam up away from those silent corpses, the water was calm and clean, the huge lake peaceful” suggests this
Beowulf has ascended from hell
Beowulf tells Wiglaf to lead the Geats after Bewoulf dies because of this
Beowulf has no son
Like many female characters in Anglo-Saxon stories se exists as a kind of trophy or asset in a limited role
Queen Welthow
Herot is saved from an inhuman monster by Beowulf only to be destroyed by fire set by humans at war is an example of this literary device
Irony
Beowulf accepts Unferth’s sword, Hrunting, in preparation for doing this
Killing Grendel’s mom
When Beowulf fights the dragon, He appears to be unsure of himself although he is committed to fight is an example of this literary device
Foreshadowing
“But Beowulf’s heart was heavy, His soul sensed how close fate had come, sensed something, not fear but knowledge of old age” illustrates this
The contrast to his youthful assurance that he will succeed
“My hands alone fight for me” illustrates this important trait of Anglo-Saxons
Bravery
To show that even a hero can fall into boasting, but, like Beowulf, he must back up his challenge with all his might is illustrated by recalling
Beowulf’s boastful challenge with Brecca
“Herbald died a horrible death killed while hunting: Hathcyn, his brother, stretched his horn tipped bow… and hit Herbald instead” illustrates
The ongoing theme of killing ones brother
After Beowulf and Wiglaf kill the fire Dragon, Beowulf recognizes that his wound is fatal . He reflects on his life and is grateful of this
God allowed him to win this last battle
After Grendel’s defeat Beowulf is showered with gifts and and praise this was the most valued
Hrothgar making Beowulf his son
Wiglaf calls the loyal followers cowards and tells them they will never share in the treasure and have brought disgrace on their families because
They hid in the woods while Wiglaf and Beowulf fought the dragon
“How many times have men, glowing with courage drawn from too many cups of ale, sworn to stay after dark” reveal the viking dislike for this
Boasting without backing it up
Beowulf attributes his victory over Grendel’s mother to this
God
Beowulf asks Hrothgar to send his treasure to Higlac if he does not succeed in doing this
Killing Grendel’s mother
Hrothgar comments on the evils of drink yet he encouraged the wild celebration of victory of Heorot is an example of this literary device
Irony
Upon his arrival Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he promises to rid Heorot of its troubles “or else he may see his suffering go on forever” indicates
Beowulf is self confident
A physical reminder of the man because it ensures that Beowulf’s name will live on after he is illustrated by this
Beowulf’s funeral
“Hail Hrothgar! Higlac is my cousin and king!” Illustrates the Anglo-Saxon respect for this
Loyalty to family ties
Hrothgar relates a story to Beowulf in which he warns “ Be not as Hermod once was to my people…” Hermod’s sin was this
Too much pride
“The brilliant light shone, suddenly as though burning in that hall: Following the killing of Grendel’s mother suggests this
God was on Beowulf’s side
Beowulf is given this because the people recognize the people recognize his great, his name and glory brought peace for 50 years and WIglaf commands it
Full burial rights
The story begins this many years before Beowulf arrives to help
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