Name that Word
What vocabulary word refers to a person’s family line or descent from ancestors?
lineage
After losing someone she loves, a woman finds comfort by spending time with her family. Which vocabulary word describes the comfort she receives?
solace
The poet who traditionally performed stories and poems aloud was known as a ___________.
scop
In Anglo-Saxon society, what term referred to a nobleman or warrior of rank who served a king or lord and often received land or privileges in return for his service?
Thane
A warrior knowingly enters a dangerous situation to protect others even though he is afraid. Which vocabulary word best describes his courage?
valor
The scop used “battle-sweat” as a __________ for blood.
kenning
During a house fire, Benjamin runs back inside to help a younger sibling escape despite the danger. Which characteristic of an epic does this action demonstrate?
valorous deed
A person deliberately harms someone because that person previously harmed his family. Which vocabulary word best describes his motivation?
vengeance
In Anglo-Saxon society, a person’s life had an assigned monetary value based partly on social rank. If someone killed or seriously injured another person, the offender could be required to pay compensation to the victim or the victim’s family to prevent vengeance that could continue for generations between the two families. What was this payment called?
wergild
A warrior is able to defeat opponents because of his extraordinary strength and fighting ability. Which vocabulary word describes this ability?
prowess
After missing his flight, Marcus shrugged and said it must have been his ___________ to stay home that day.
wyrd
Before attempting an extremely dangerous challenge, the warrior publicly announces, “I promise everyone here that I will succeed.” His declaration resembles a ___________.
beot
A. I’m nervous about my test results.
B. Anxiety grips me as I await the revelation of my test results.
Which statement demonstrates a characteristic of an epic? Identify the characteristic and explain how the language demonstrates it.
B. Elevated style because it uses formal, dramatic, and dignified language rather than ordinary everyday language.
Guam has experienced destructive typhoons throughout its history. Imagine a poem about a chief's son traveling across the island after a devastating typhoon to rescue stranded families. Which characteristic of an epic could the journey itself represent?
An epic hero on a quest.
A hero believes that a higher power is guiding and protecting him. During a battle, a god actually appears and intervenes to help him defeat his enemy. The hero’s belief in divine guidance represents ___________, while the god’s intervention demonstrates the epic characteristic of ___________.
providence; supernatural forces
How can a beot lead to renown?
A beot is a public promise or boast about what someone intends to accomplish. If the person fulfills that promise through impressive deeds, those accomplishments can earn them renown, or widespread fame and admiration.
A character says, “Nothing I do can change what has already been determined for me.” Another character says, “I believe a higher power is purposefully guiding what happens in my life.” Identify the vocabulary concept represented by each statement.
wyrd and providence
Daniel’s mother is killed by a drunk driver. Why might seeking solace from family and friends be a better way for Daniel to cope with his loss than seeking vengeance?
Seeking solace from family and friends can provide Daniel with comfort, emotional support, and healthy ways to cope with his grief. Seeking vengeance may cause additional harm and could lead to legal consequences, damaged relationships, or even more violence. Vengeance also cannot undo his mother’s death.
During the Japanese occupation of Guam, many CHamoru people endured imprisonment, forced labor, violence, and other forms of suffering. Which vocabulary word best describes these hardships, and explain why it is more appropriate than “vengeance” or “valor.”
afflictions; it is more appropriate because the people endured hardship.
Vengeance is retaliation for a wrong, and valor is courage in the face of danger.
A hero is incredibly strong and skilled but refuses to enter a dangerous situation because he is afraid. Can the hero possess prowess without demonstrating valor? Use the meanings of both words to justify your answer.
Yes. Prowess refers to exceptional skill or ability, while valor refers to courage. A person can possess great ability but fail to demonstrate courage.
What is an epic, and why would a literary work be considered an epic?
A long narrative poem, written in an elevated style, that celebrates heroic deeds and legendary events. A literary work is considered an epic when it demonstrates characteristics such as an epic hero on a quest, valorous deeds, supernatural forces, and elevated style.
Marriage and comitatus both involve loyalty, commitment, and responsibilities between two parties. Explain why marriage can be compared to comitatus but cannot technically be considered comitatus.
Both involve mutual loyalty and obligations, but comitatus specifically refers to the relationship between a lord and his warriors, in which warriors provide loyalty and military service in exchange for protection and rewards.
Use heriot in a sentence that provides enough context clues to demonstrate its meaning. (Don't just define it.)
Answer varies.
After the thane died, his family gave several of his valuable weapons and horses to his lord as heriot.
A thane receives protection, status, and rewards from his lord and provides loyalty and military service in return. When the thane dies, valuable property from his estate is given to his lord. Identify the two Anglo-Saxon concepts represented and explain how they demonstrate the continuing obligations between lord and warrior.
Comitatus and heriot.
Comitatus is the reciprocal relationship of loyalty and obligation between lord and warrior during the warrior’s lifetime. Heriot is an obligation in which some of a thane’s valuable possessions are given to his lord after his death.
A hero leaves home to save his community. Before leaving, he publicly promises that he will defeat whatever threatens his people. During his journey, a supernatural being attempts to stop him. Although frightened, he continues and eventually succeeds through extraordinary ability.
Identify four concepts (from vocabulary and/or characteristics or an epic) represented in the scenario and explain the evidence for each.
Epic hero on a quest — he leaves home on an important mission. Beot — he publicly promises to defeat the threat. Supernatural forces — a supernatural being interferes with his journey. Valor — he continues despite fear. Prowess — extraordinary ability