Historical Background
Early English Literature
Beowulf Background
Epic Vocabulary
Beowulf Section 1-3
100

Different groups invaded the ______ ______ bringing their own language and dialect. 

British Isles

100

Old English eventually evolved into _____ _______, and then eventually into modern English.

Middle English

100

Originally told during the ______-_______ period

Anglo-Saxon

100

Epic _______: The central, noble character of an epic who goes on a dangerous journey to test their spirit.

Hero

100

Grendel attacks this king's people.

Hrothgar

200

The Normans introduced this type of government and social structure, consisting of a hierarchy of landowning lords and land-tied peasants. 

Feudalism

200

Before written literature, how did most stories spread?

orally/word of mouth

200

Beowulf was originally written in this language: _______  __________.

Old English

200

______ Epic: Stories about heroes that are orally composed and passed down

  • Example: Beowulf

Folk

200

The epic Beowulf is full of __________ to biblical characters and stories. (Literary Element)

Allusions

300

In 1215, a group of nobles demanded that King John sign the _____ _____, limiting his power and establishing a parliamentary government.

Magna Carta

300

Geoffrey Chaucer was known as England’s ______ medieval ____.

greatest medieval poet

300

_______ Anglo-Saxons told grim tales of life during the 5th to 11th century and eventually, missionaries converted them to ____________.

Pagan Christianity

300

An Epic is a long _______ _______ that takes a hero’s adventures or quest and connects it to society’s values and traditions.

narrative poem

300

Beowulf hears of the attack on the Danes and gathers up a group of the strongest ________ (warriors from Sweden) he can find to help him on his journey.

Geats

400

The Black Death is a plague that killed ____ of England’s population?

1/3

400

What musical instrument supported the popularity of oral literature?

lyre/harp

400

Beowulf reflects both pagan and Christian ______ and ________ 

cultures/values and traditions

400

___________ Epic: an epic that is written down to embody a culture’s values.  

  • Example: The Odyssey

Literary 

400

The name of the Dane's mead hall

Herot

500

These 5 groups all invaded the same area in Europe, eventually combining their languages to create Old English.

Celtic Tribes, Roman, Anglo-Saxons, Scandinavians, and Normans

500

Geoffrey Chaucer was known for his most famous work, the _______  ________.

Canterbury Tales

500

Anglo-Saxons told grim tales of life ruled by _____, also known as wyrd. 

Fate

500

__________ Style: The diction used in an epic to heighten the importance of the events retold. 

___________ Forces: Deities and monsters who watch over or battle the hero. 

Elevated

Supernatural

500

Beowulf and his men are followers of this king.

Higlac

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