anglo-saxon history
what are some lasting influences
the Anglo-Saxon period gave us the language of English, many words, and place names
who wrote the exile poems
unknown
"Fate goes ever as fate must."
What does Beowulf mean when he says this?
Beowulf means that a person's life is controlled by fate. He accepts that he might die in battle, but he trusts that a higher power will decide the final result. It shows his bravery, since he is not afraid of what will happen.
what is mead
an alcoholic drink made from honey
who were the anglo-saxons
they were Germanic peoples, primarily angles, Saxons, and jutes.
what does the narrator of "the wanderer" miss the most
his friends
"Then a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark, nursed a hard grievance."
Why did Grendel attack the mead hall?
Grendel was angry and jealous because he could hear the happy music and singing from inside the mead hall. The people were celebrating their lives, but Grendel was an outcast, banished from society. He hated being left out, so he attacked them.
what is a ceorls
free peasents or lower ranking free men in the anglo- Saxon society
who was the first known person that ever wrote about england
julius ceasar
why did the speaker in "the wanderer" leave his home
his lord died
"It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning."
Why does Beowulf say this to King Hrothgar?
Beowulf says this to Hrothgar after Grendel's mother kills Hrothgar's friend. He means it is better to take action and get revenge for a friend's death than to just sit around and be sad. In his culture, a warrior's job was to be brave and loyal by avenging the people he cared about.
what is a druid
pagan Celtic priests
what equaled immortality
fame, fortune, and greatness
who edited the exile poems and inserted Christian themes
monks
what figurative language is this
"no sword of the rest, of those forged in the world, could hold up against it, when he gripped it in his hand"
hyperbole
what is a cyning
a strong leader or in English "king"
when was the anglo-saxon period
449 ad to 1066 ad
which language combined with old English to become middle language
anglo-saxon
what figurative language is this
''My household-guard / Are on the wane, fate sweeps them away / Into Grendel's clutches. ''
personification
what is the Germanic code of loyalty
comitatus