Early Eng. Literature 2

Question 1

What is the remarkable trait for Anglo-Saxon literature?

Answer 1

It’s full of images

Question 2

Which work is both a tragedy and an elegy. Why?

Answer 2

Beowulf. The reasons are the following: 1. The MC dies; 2. Recalls heroic past;

Question 3

Which work is not just referentional, but represantional?

Answer 3

The Dream of the Rood.

Question 4

What do you know about The Dream of the Rood?

Answer 4

1. Was found in Scotland in the 7th cen.;
2. A lot of words, phrases and images were used for the figure of Christ and his cross;
3. Represents the lack of human protection and the need for spiritual support, redemption;
4. Represents the following emotions: Joy - suffering, light - darkness, earthy reality - heavenly bliss;
5. Tree and its transformation to bearer of Christ
6. It’s not just referentional, but represantional;

Question 5

Who is Venerable Bede?

Answer 5

An author, a scholar and a monk

Question 6

Which work mainly represents the following topics: Joy - suffering, light - darkness, earthy reality - heavenly bliss?

Answer 6

The Dream of the Rood.

Question 7

What can you say about Beowulf?

Answer 7

1. MC - Beowulf. Others: his friend Wiglaf;
2. Three generations of monsters defeated (+dragon): Grendel’s mom, Grendel and his son;
3. Starts with “once upon a time” (past);
4. Topics: Splendour - Destruction; Success - Failure; Honour - Betrayal;
5. The language is rich and inventive: synonyms for “warrior”, many compounds, images, superlatives for exaggeration to underline the heroic aspect;
6. Is a tragedy (the MC dies) and an elegy (recalls heroic past);

Question 8

Which famous work of that time is mainly about war?

Answer 8

The Battle of Maldon. It’s about war, loss and bloodshed.

Question 9

Whose works use kennings beside this period?

Answer 9

In the Modernist texts of Hopkings and James Joyce.

Question 10

What can you say about The Battle of Maldon?

Answer 10

1. It’s a poem, more a documentary than fictional since it refers to the battle in 991;
2. Depicts the necessity of a victory, a hero;
3. Uses the divided line to create the rhythm, sound of battle;

Question 11

What is Cura Pastoralis? Who was it translated by?

Answer 11

A guide to living and spiritual education. Translated by Alfred the Great.

Question 12

Which work has an oral origin?

Answer 12

Beowulf.

Question 13

What are kennings? List everything you know about them.

Answer 13

1. Use compound forms, not describing things directly: banbus - bone + house (human body);
2. “To ken” means “to know” (used in Scottish and Northern Eng. dialects);
3. It’s a way of knowing, expressing meanings in a striking, memorable way;
4. Used later, especially in the Modernist texts of Hopkings and James Joyce.

Question 14

Who is Cynewulf? In which centuries he was supposedly born?

Answer 14

Was thought to be the author of The Dream of the Rood, had written poems (“The Exeter Book, The Vercelli Book). Lived in the 8th/9th c.

Question 15

Who is Caedmon? Who is the possible and actual author?

Answer 15

Is a low-class, illiterate worker, shepherd. The work was deemed to be written by Venerable Bede, but actually the author turned out to be some worker. Venerable Bede had preserved it.

Question 16

Which work plays with time?

Answer 16

Beowulf, in which the past, the present and the hope for future is conveyed.

Question 17

What do you know about Beowulf?

Answer 17

1. It stands out by being the only long epic poem;
2. Uses the typical features of O.E. verse forms (alliterations, repeated sounds);
3. The verse form is characterized by a double line with a break in the middle which gives a distinctive rhythm;

Question 18

What can you say about Alfred the Great?

Answer 18

1. Translator of Cura Pastoralis;
2. Makes English the one for learning. A shift from Latin;
3. He’s the king of West Saxon at the end of the 9th c.;
4. Commissioned translations of history, geography, Caedmon’s Hymn into West Saxon;
5. Inspired by The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, if not partly written;

Question 19

What is the important concept developed in this period?

Answer 19

The concept of an author. Before that, only Cynewulf purposely signed himself in the role of an author.

Question 20

Do The Battle of Maldon and Beowulf have the same point of view? What do they have in common?

Answer 20

No. But they do admit the importance of a hero. The latter puts it in the main focus, while the former is focused on the topic of war.

Question 21

Describe the Earliest Figurative Language.

Answer 21

1. By the use of kennings which often appear in compounds (not describing things directly to make the readers construct the meanings instead). E.g.: swanrad - swan + road (sea). Kennings were mostly formed by borrowings and inventing words;
2. Alliteration;
3. Decorative periphrases: king - giver of treasure;

Question 22

Which work mainly represents the following topics: Splendour - Destruction; Success - Failure; Honour - Betrayal?

Answer 22

Beowulf.

Question 23

Which language is dominant in the 10th-11th c. Why?

Answer 23

West Saxon. Because of Alfred the Great.

Question 24

Who shift the language for learning from Latin to English?

Answer 24

Alfred the Great.

Question 25

(1) ___ starts with “once upon a time” (past).

Answer 25

(1) Beowulf

Question 26

What’s the main focus in Beowulf?

Answer 26

Suggests what a hero is and shows its importance (draws the main focus on it).

Question 27

What’s special in Beowulf plot/subplot?

Answer 27

The main plot is about animal, monsters. The subplot is about humans.

Question 28

From whenthe long traditions of literature in English began?

Answer 28

Due to Alfred the Great and the translations. Thus, it began due to him, about the period of his reign.

Question 29

Who is the king of West Saxon at the end of the 9th c.?

Answer 29

Alfred the Great.

Question 30

What is The Exeter Book and The Vercelli Book? Who is the author?

Answer 30

The author is Cynewulf and these works preserve a collection of prose, poetry on religious topics (The fates of Apostles, Christ’s Ascension).

Question 31

What is The Book of Genesis? Who was thought to be the author?

Answer 31

Translation of parts of the Christian Bible. Caedmon was thought to be the author of the work.