Characters and Legends
Which legendary figure is most closely tied to England’s greatest national legend?
King Arthur p.2
How does Beowulf defeat Grendel?
by tearing off Grendel's arm p.29
What moment in King Arthur’s story makes him most similar to Jesus Christ?
his death pp. 58, 60
Hrothgar envies Beowulf’s strength in the story.
False - Hrothgar admires Beowulf, not envies him. p.23
Sir Modred faithfully helped Arthur by throwing his sword into the lake.
False. Sir Bedivere was supposed to throw the sword, but he failed at first; Modred betrayed Arthur. pp. 58-59
What type of literature or genre is Beowulf considered?
Oral epic p.16
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, what does the pentangle represent about? What do the five points of the pentangle stand for?
faithfulness p.37,44; five virtues of Gawain (generosity, fellowship, purity, courtesy, compassion) p.44
What is the name of King Arthur’s famous sword?
excalibur p.58
The focus of a romance is usually love between a man and a woman.
True p. 36
Repetition of beginning sounds in a line of poetry
alliterative verse pp.18,21
What Old English word did the Anglo-Saxons use to describe fate?
Wyrd p.18
What lesson does Gawain learn from the green girdle?
reveals his failure but gives him a chance for true confession and humility pp. 37, 45-46, 49-50
Which biblical disciple does Sir Bedivere resemble?
Peter (denied Jesus 3 times, like bedivere failing to obey Arthur) p. 58
True courtly love was spiritual, not physical.
True p.37
A descriptive phrase like “shadow of death”
kenning pp.18, 21
Give one example of how Beowulf blends pagan beliefs with Christian ideas:
Beowulf as Christ figure, the idea that word is providence, references to Heavenly peace/Christian salvation p.18-24
Who instructed the queen to tempt Gawain, and why was this important?
the king (bertilak/green knight) directed her p.49
The Black Death increased faith in the Catholic Church.
False - the Black Death weakened faith in the church. p.10
Beowulf and Gawain show the heroic English ideal.
True pp.14-15, 36-37
Repeated descriptive labels for people (like “ring-giver”)
stock epithet pp.18, 25-26
What are the four main heroic virtues that Beowulf represents?
bravery, loyalty, generosity, friendship pp.14-15
Why do the Round Table knights wear a green sash after Gawain’s test?
to remind themselves of human weakness and the virtue of humility p.51
England shifted from oral to written literature in the Middle Ages.
True p. 13
The chivalric code demanded bravery and moral character.
True p.37
The green girdle, pentangle, and color green
symbol p.37