Beowulf
What is one of the oldest surviving epics?
Beowulf
What are skilled storytellers called?
Scops
What is another name for the Medieval period?
Dark Ages
What is one of the most important virtues and a major theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
Chivalry
What is characterization?
the way an author describes and develops the traits, motivations, and personalities of characters within a story
What is a Mead Hall
Center of Village, where everyone gathered to eat and celebrate.
Name two gods from Anglo-Saxon culture
Thunor & Woden
What are the layers of the feudal system?
Serfs, Knights, Nobles, King
Who is the Green Knight & How did he get his "powers"
The Green Knight is a stranger who comes into Arthur's court and challenges everyone to a game. The Green Knight was enchanted by Morgan Le Fay.
What is Wyrd mean?
Fate
Who are the main characters in Beowulf?
Beowulf, Wiglaf, Hrothgar, Grendel, Grendel's Mother, Dragon, ( could also mentions Hrothgar's wife)
What type of Alphabet did the Anglo- Saxons use?
Runes
What two groups were involved in the Anglo-Norman conflicts, and what was the outcome?
Anglo- Saxons & Normans
Describe the who Sir Gawain is and his role in the story.
Sir Gawain is King Arthur's nephew. Sir Gawain steps up for Arthur during the beheading game against the Green Knight, and ultimately goes on this journey that tests his knighthood.
What is Alliteration?
Repetition of initial consonant sounds (e.g., "shield and sure sword").
Define 'kenning' and provide an example from Beowulf.
a figure of speech in which two words are combined in order to form a poetic expression that refers to a person or a thing
Ex: God- Cursed
Anglo- Saxons valued what characteristics in their people, specifically warriors?
Physical strength, bravery, loyalty, boasting
What caused/ triggered the Bubonic Plague?
Flea-infected rats
What are the Knightly Virtues represented in Sir Gawain & The Green Knight?
Friendship, Generosity, Courtesy, Piety, Chastity
What is a motif?
a repeated pattern—an image, sound, word, or symbol that comes back again and again within a particular story used to reinforce theme
What is the central theme of Beowulf?
Good VS. Evil, epic journey to stop evil forces.
Describe elements of a Anglo-Saxon or Viking Funeral?
Funeral Pyres, Boats set on fire, gold left for the dead to have, songs sung about the deceased and their fortune or great deeds.
Who won the Battle of Hastings
Duke William of Normandy
Who is Lord Bertilak and why is he significant to the story?
Lord Bertilak is also the Green Knight. Lord Bertilak tests Sir Gawain's honesty and loyalty. Additionally, Lord Bertilak creates another game for Sir Gawain to play.
Define 'caesura'
any interruption or break