Brit Lit Exam Flashcards
(136 cards)
0
Q
What group of people left England and that then made it easy for people to invade the country?
A
Romans
1
Q
Who inhabited Britain when Julius Caesar invaded?
A
Celts
2
Q
How long did the Romans occupy Britain?
A
About 470 years
3
Q
Who really was King Arthur?
A
The figure of a Celtic leader who organized determined resistance after the Romans left the country and invaders from the North Sea started to attack.
4
Q
The celts of England were first known as:
A
Britons and Gaels
5
Q
What was the heptarchy?
A
Celts, Jutes, Angles, Saxons, Normans, Danes
6
Q
Anglo-Saxon chronicles:
A
The first historical record to be kept in English, initiated by Alfred
7
Q
Venerable Bede:
A
Author of the Ecclesiastical History.
“The father of English history”
An Anglo-Saxon churchman
8
Q
Wyrd
A
Fate
9
Q
Exeter book
A
Discovered manuscripts from the reign of Alfred the Great.
“Seafarer” “wanderer” “wife’s lament”
10
Q
Epic poem:
A
Long narrative poem that recount the adventures of a hero
11
Q
Characteristics of an epic:
A
1) high social status
2) Hero’s actions determine fate of many people
3) performs courageous and superhuman deeds
4) supernatural beings and events
5) setting is large scale
6) long speeches
7) formal diction, serious tone, poetic language
8) universal themes: good and evil, life and death
12
Q
Old English gives us:
A
Our common nouns and verbs
13
Q
Old English dates:
A
From the middle of the 5th century to the middle of the 12th century
14
Q
Middle English dates:
A
Late 12th century to late 15th century
15
Q
Norman conquest
A
1066
Started medieval period
16
Q
What is the main theme of Beowulf?
A
Create a legacy that lives on after death
17
Q
An illuminated manuscript of the gospel book in Latin. Created my Celtic monks
A
Book of kells
18
Q
Traditional code if conduct associated with medieval institution of knighthood
A
Chivalry
19
Q
Manuscript that surveys the citizens in England in medieval times
A
Domesday book
20
Q
First document that limited the powers of a king, 1215
A
Magna carta
21
Q
Religious conflicts during the Middle Ages which aimed to restore Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem
A
The crusades
22
Q
Kinds of plays performed during Middle Ages:
A
Morality and miracle
23
Q
Something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic. Added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity. (Associate, addition, accessory)
A
Adjunct
24
The male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends. (Ringleader, initiator, barometer)
Bellwether
25
To howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel. A harsh or noisy cry; a racket. (Whine, screech)
Caterwaul
26
Absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible (visionary, quixotic, pie-in-the-sky)
Chimerical
27
Lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out-of-date (decadent, enfeebled)
Effete
28
An accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action (accomplished fact)
Fait accompli
29
Narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative (intolerant, inflexible)
Hidebound
30
Any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc. (chain of command)
Hierarchy
31
A philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference, especially with individual freedom of choice and action. (Noninterventional, nonrestrictive, hands-off)
Laissez-faire
32
A religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship. (Observance)
Liturgy
33
A patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand. (Bog)
Morass
34
Offensive or disgusting; foul-smelling; harmful or injurious. (Fetid, noxious, vile, loathsome)
Noisome
35
Forgetful; unaware. (Insensible)
Oblivious
36
A base coward. (Craven, dastard, "chicken")
Poltroon
37
A convert; a disciple. (Novice, neophyte)
Proselyte
38
Resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely. (Kind of, as if)
Quasi
39
Good-humored ridicule; teasing. (Persiflage)
Raillery
40
Irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language. (Risqué)
Ribald
41
Lying flat on one's back; listless or lethargic; apathetic or passive. (Prone, prostrate; inert)
Supine
42
A short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off; a decorative design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter. (Thumbnail sketch, anecdote)
Vignette
43
Protection; patronage; sponsorship (auspices)
Aegis
44
To inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice. (Acquaint)
Apprise
45
Fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent. (Inebrious)
Bibulous
46
A group of people hired to applaud a performer of performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers; an opera hat. (Fan club, flatterers)
Claque
47
To pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of. (Extirpate, eradicate, expunge)
Deracinate
48
An explanation or critical interpretation (especially of a text). (Analysis, explication)
Exegesis
49
Originating in the country or region where found, native; inborn; inherent. (Endemic, domestic, homegrown)
Indigenous
50
Given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious. (Tearful, doleful, dolorous)
Lachrymose
51
A dictionary of a language: the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject; a compendium. (Wordbook, glossary)
Lexicon
52
A confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling. (Fracas, brawl, scuffle, donnybrook)
Melee
53
A miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system. (Epitome, world in little)
Microcosm
54
Very small, tiny. A lowercase letter. (Infinitesimal, insignificant)
Minuscule
55
To darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder. (Muddy the waters)
Obfuscate
56
The policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner or a father dealing with his children. (Benevolence, solicitude, fatherliness)
Paternalism
57
To cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause to light to vibrate in a pattern. (Split, alienate, estrange)
Polarize
58
The range, extent, or scope of something; in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute. (Orbit)
Purview
59
Having ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook. (Flushed, rosy)
Sanguine
60
A substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake. (Misusage, blunder)
Solecism
61
A person under the protection if a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant. Subservient. (Minion. Servile)
Vassal
62
The quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable. (Realism, lifelikeness, authenticity)
Verisimilitude
63
Subordinate or supplementary. (Auxiliary, accessory)
Ancillary
64
To remove material considered offensive (from a book, play, film, etc). (Purge, expurgate)
Bowdlerize
65
To come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner. (To talk down)
Condescend
66
To trick; to cheat or swindle (dupe, deceive, beguile, inveigle)
Cozen
67
An enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character. (Island, subgroup)
Enclave
68
A person's strongpoint; what a person does best. (Gift, aptitude, specialty)
Forte
69
Free. Without charge. (On the house)
Gratis
70
A representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion. (Emblem)
Icon
71
A small, narrow space between things or parts of things. (Gap, slot, crevice, interval, lacuna)
Interstice
72
The universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something. (Cosmos, entirety)
Macrocosm
73
A trickster or swindler; a charlatan. (Impostor, quack)
Mountebank
74
A song of praise, joy, or triumph. (Ode, anthem)
Paean
75
Lighthearted joking, talk, or writing. (Banter, jesting, badinage)
Persiflage
76
Overfullness; superabundance; superfluity. (Surplus, glut, excess)
Plethora
77
Concerned with practical consideration or values; dealing with actions and results rather than with abstract theory; stiff in one's opinions. (Down-to-earth)
Pragmatic
78
Puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal. (Peculiar, perplexed, mystified, derisive)
Quizzical
79
Inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder. (Avarice, cupidity, voraciousness)
Rapacity
80
A formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions. (Rift)
Schism
81
Having the power to heal or cure; beneficial. (Salutary, salubrious)
Therapeutic
82
A brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique. Masterly or brilliant. (Expert, prodigy, maestro)
Virtuoso
83
A natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection. (Inclination, penchant)
Affinity
84
Peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant. (Choleric, irascible, peevish, splenetic)
Bilious
85
Closely related in origin, essential nature, or function. Such a person or thing. (Allied, affiliated. Relative)
Cognate
86
A proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence for result. Resultant or consequent. (Deduction, conclusion)
Corollary
87
A blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse.
Cul-de-sac
88
Valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics). (Audacity, bravado, pyrotechnics).
Derring-do
89
The art or act if predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge. (Prophecy)
Divination
90
A potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely; a panacea; a sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines. (Nostrum, tonic)
Elixir
91
Foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle. (gibberish)
Folderol
92
An entire range or series. (Compass, sweep)
Gamut
93
The common people, the masses. (Rank and file)
Hoi polloi
94
Not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered. (Inexpressible)
Ineffable
95
Laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work. (Burning the midnight oil)
Lucubration
96
Relating to or designed to assist the memory. A device to aid the memory. (Reminder, clue)
Mnemonic
97
Public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment. (Discredit, opprobrium, dishonor)
Obloquy
98
A determining or characteristic element; a factor that shaped the total outcome; a limit, boundary.
Parameter
99
A learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions. (Expert, authority, savant)
Pundit
100
Pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh, laughable. (Droll, ludicrous)
Risible
101
Typical or characteristic; bring or concerned with a symptom of a disease. (Indicative)
Symptomatic
102
An about-face; a complete reversal. (Turnabout)
Volte-face
103
An enthusiastic and usually expert follower or fan. (Devotee, enthusiast)
Aficionado
104
To intimidate by a stern or overbearing manner; to bully. (Cow, coerce)
Browbeat
105
Equal in size, extent, duration, or importance; proportionate; measurable by the same standards. (Comparable, corresponding, coordinate)
Commensurate
106
Very sheer and light; almost completely transparent. (Translucent, gossamer)
Diaphanous
107
Profit derived from an officer or position or from employment; a fee or salary. (Pay, wages)
Emolument
108
A quick raid, especially for plunder; a venture into some field of endeavor. To make such a raid. (Sally, sortie)
Foray
109
A type, class, or variety, especially a distinctive category of literary composition; a style of painting in which everyday scenes are realistically depicted. (Species, sort, school)
Genre
110
A sermon stressing moral principles, a tedious moralizing lecture or discourse
Homily
111
To enclose it confine within walls; to imprison; to seclude or isolate. (Mew up)
Immure
112
Blithely indifferent or unconcerned; carefree; happy-go-lucky. (Blasé, devil-may-care)
Insouciant
113
A mold; the surrounding situation or environment. (Pattern, model)
Matrix
114
Funeral rites or ceremonies. (Funeral services)
Obsequies
115
A confident and stylish manner, dash; a strikingly elaborate or colorful display. (Style, verve, élan, éclat)
Panache
116
A character in a novel or play; the outward character or role that a person assumes. (Personality, image, role)
Persona
117
A bitter verbal attack. (Harangue , diatribe)
Philippic
118
Having lustful desires or interests; tending to arouse sexual desires. (Lascivious, lewd, titillating)
Prurient
119
Very sacred or holy; inviolable; set apart or immune from questioning or attack.
Sacrosanct
120
Of or pertaining to the entire body; relation to a system or systems. (Extensive, comprehensive, system-wide)
Systematic
121
Intended to promote a particular point of view, doctrine, or cause; biased or partisan. (Partial)
Tendentious
122
A change, variation, or alteration. Successive or changing phases or conditions. (Fluctuation, vacillation)
Vicissitude
123
What is Anouilh's theme?
Is a man more faithful to god or a king when confronted by both? Can a man be both god and king?
124
Why do the Normans hate the Saxons?
The Normans think the Saxons are barbarians
125
Where does becket hold his honor?
With god
126
What looks good to people
Estheties
127
Why does Henry underestimate becket so gravely?
Because he has such a big head and his goal get in the way of seeing the reality of life
128
What purpose does the gesture of giving all to the poor at the end of act 2 serve? Why does Anouilh include it and why at this point?
The purpose is that Becket is gaining power and he feels sympathy towards the Saxons and peasants. Anouilh demonstrates his theme through Becket's act of giving to the poor. It's a godly act to give to the poor and becket loves god more than anything. Shows how Becket is favoring god more than his friend.
129
Who else underestimates becket, other than Henry? Why?
The pope because becket truly loves god and the pope doesn't because the pope is corrupt.
130
Why does king Louis decide to try to persuade Henry to make peace with becket?
So he can benefit by getting favors from Henry
131
Why does becket say that he will never see the king again?
He can't come back to England because he doesn't want to take the excommunication back
132
Why does becket allow the young monk to keep his intention of killing a Norman?
Because the young monk wants to kill a Norman out of justice
133
Does becket love anything told anyone prior to becoming archbishop?
Becket loves king Henry but that wears off when he learns the kings intentions
134
Does king Henry love or hate becket?
Yes. He loves the friendship, but he hates the fact that becket loves god more than Henry
135
What is the tragedy of becket and Henry?
Becket is killed for being true and pure while Henry is allowed to live while being sinful and corrupt.
