BACKGROUND
What 3 Germanic tribes invaded Britain during the 5th C. AD?
Angles, Saxons & Jutes
What is a kenning?
kenning—a descriptive phrase or compound word that replaces a noun
Beowulf's faithful companion and choice as the next King
Wiglaf
True or False:
Beowulf goes to Denmark to the help King Hrothgar to repay his father's debt.
FALSE; he wants to be remembered for his bravery and skills; he wants an adventure
WHAT LIT DEVICE IS USED IN THE QUOTE BELOW:
"He was spawned in that slime/Conceived by a pair of monsters born of Cain."
alliteration; refers to Cain & Abel story in Bible
What language did most people in Anglo-Saxon Britain speak?
Old English
What is a stock epithet?
stock epithet – adjectives that point out special traits of people or things
King of the Danes
Hrothgar
True or False:
Grendel goes to Denmark to attack its people because he is in love with Hrothgar's wife, the queen.
FALSE; he is evil and hungry
What is the name of the last successful invader of ENGLAND?
William, Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror)
What building was at the center of every Anglo-Saxon tribe?
community hall where King lived
Give an example of a kenning.
in place of Grendel’s name: “the Almighty’s enemy” or “sin-stained demon”
famous mead hall attacked by monsters
Herot
True or False:
Beowulf fights and defeats Grendel with his bare hands.
TRUE
Why was Beowulf told in an oral tradition?
Most couldn't read; no printed books
What qualities (provide at least 2) were most important in Anglo-Saxon life?
community, friendship, loyalty
Give an example of a stock epithet.
"hell forged" "Strong hearted"
fate or destiny
wyrd
True or False:
Beowulf defeats the dragon with the help of Wyrd.
FALSE: with the help of Wiglaf
bravery, loyalty, strength
Why was being a poet an honored position in Anglo-Saxon society?
They preserved a person or event by immortalizing her/him/it in his poems.
What is an epic poem?
long, narrative poem that celebrates a hero's deeds
the first monster to attack Herot
Grendel
True or False:
The central theme of Beowulf is competition between Christians and Pagans.
FALSE: good vs. evil
What are the 8 major parts of Joseph Campbell's monomyth?
Call to adventure
First Threshold(resistence)
Road of Trials
Abyss (supreme ordeal)
Transformation
Apothesis
Return Threshold (challenges to return)
Return