Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following works focuses on appreciation of literature?
Which of the following works focuses on appreciation of literature?
Beowulf is considered the oldest epic poem in English literature.
Beowulf is considered the oldest epic poem in English literature.
True
Name one work that deals with the criticism of literature.
Name one work that deals with the criticism of literature.
Gayley and Scott's An Introduction to the Methods and Materials of Literary Criticism
The period known as the Anglo-Saxon or Old-English Period spans from ______ to ______.
The period known as the Anglo-Saxon or Old-English Period spans from ______ to ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the literary works with their respective genres:
Match the literary works with their respective genres:
Signup and view all the answers
Which author wrote 'Sesame and Lilies'?
Which author wrote 'Sesame and Lilies'?
Signup and view all the answers
What genre does 'The Fight at Finnsburgh' primarily represent?
What genre does 'The Fight at Finnsburgh' primarily represent?
Signup and view all the answers
All literary criticism works listed are modern texts.
All literary criticism works listed are modern texts.
Signup and view all the answers
Hnæf and his warriors were victorious in the fight at Finnsburgh.
Hnæf and his warriors were victorious in the fight at Finnsburgh.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the prologue in Beowulf?
What is the significance of the prologue in Beowulf?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is the character that gives a warning with a sorrowful note?
Who is the character that gives a warning with a sorrowful note?
Signup and view all the answers
The poem 'Waldere' describes the story of Walter of Aquitaine and his betrothed bride, __________.
The poem 'Waldere' describes the story of Walter of Aquitaine and his betrothed bride, __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following characters with their corresponding actions or roles:
Match the following characters with their corresponding actions or roles:
Signup and view all the answers
What notable element characterizes 'The Fight at Finnsburgh'?
What notable element characterizes 'The Fight at Finnsburgh'?
Signup and view all the answers
The saga of Waldere originated with the Anglo-Saxons.
The saga of Waldere originated with the Anglo-Saxons.
Signup and view all the answers
How long did the fight last in 'The Fight at Finnsburgh'?
How long did the fight last in 'The Fight at Finnsburgh'?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Beowulf give to the young warrior before his death?
What did Beowulf give to the young warrior before his death?
Signup and view all the answers
Beowulf's warriors celebrated his life with a feast immediately after his death.
Beowulf's warriors celebrated his life with a feast immediately after his death.
Signup and view all the answers
What did the people of the Weders build in remembrance of Beowulf?
What did the people of the Weders build in remembrance of Beowulf?
Signup and view all the answers
The warriors kindled a mighty _____ fire in remembrance of Beowulf.
The warriors kindled a mighty _____ fire in remembrance of Beowulf.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following items with their descriptions:
Match the following items with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Who is referred to as 'the last Waegmunding of our race'?
Who is referred to as 'the last Waegmunding of our race'?
Signup and view all the answers
How long did it take to build the mound for Beowulf?
How long did it take to build the mound for Beowulf?
Signup and view all the answers
The warriors of Beowulf's people chose to bury his wealth with him.
The warriors of Beowulf's people chose to bury his wealth with him.
Signup and view all the answers
Which scholar is known as 'the father of our English learning'?
Which scholar is known as 'the father of our English learning'?
Signup and view all the answers
Bede's translation of the Gospel of John into Anglo-Saxon has been preserved.
Bede's translation of the Gospel of John into Anglo-Saxon has been preserved.
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary focus of the Northumbrian School of monks?
What was the primary focus of the Northumbrian School of monks?
Signup and view all the answers
Bede wrote almost exclusively in ______.
Bede wrote almost exclusively in ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following figures with their contributions:
Match the following figures with their contributions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which monasteries served as the center for the Northumbrian School?
Which monasteries served as the center for the Northumbrian School?
Signup and view all the answers
Bede's works were mostly unknown and not widely copied.
Bede's works were mostly unknown and not widely copied.
Signup and view all the answers
What extraordinary view did Bede hold regarding miracles?
What extraordinary view did Bede hold regarding miracles?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the poem 'Andreas' primarily focus on?
What does the poem 'Andreas' primarily focus on?
Signup and view all the answers
St. Andrew is portrayed as a ship-master in the poem 'Andreas'.
St. Andrew is portrayed as a ship-master in the poem 'Andreas'.
Signup and view all the answers
Who is sent to search for the true cross in the poem 'Elene'?
Who is sent to search for the true cross in the poem 'Elene'?
Signup and view all the answers
Cynewulf signed his name in ______ in the poem 'Elene'.
Cynewulf signed his name in ______ in the poem 'Elene'.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following elements from the poems with their descriptions:
Match the following elements from the poems with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of the Danish invasion on Northumbrian literature?
What was the impact of the Danish invasion on Northumbrian literature?
Signup and view all the answers
Cynewulf is known for his signature style and is considered an anonymous poet.
Cynewulf is known for his signature style and is considered an anonymous poet.
Signup and view all the answers
What did the scholars do after Alfred drove back the Danes?
What did the scholars do after Alfred drove back the Danes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one reason the Anglo-Saxons came to England?
What is one reason the Anglo-Saxons came to England?
Signup and view all the answers
The ideal of woman in Anglo-Saxon culture was similar to that of the Romans.
The ideal of woman in Anglo-Saxon culture was similar to that of the Romans.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the title of the epic poem that tells the story of a hero fighting monsters?
What is the title of the epic poem that tells the story of a hero fighting monsters?
Signup and view all the answers
The _____ Book is a collection of Anglo-Saxon texts.
The _____ Book is a collection of Anglo-Saxon texts.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following Anglo-Saxon texts with their contents:
Match the following Anglo-Saxon texts with their contents:
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes all great literature according to the suggestions?
What characterizes all great literature according to the suggestions?
Signup and view all the answers
Anglo-Saxon poetry was written in a metrical form similar to modern poetry.
Anglo-Saxon poetry was written in a metrical form similar to modern poetry.
Signup and view all the answers
What virtues did the Anglo-Saxons admire in men?
What virtues did the Anglo-Saxons admire in men?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Anglo-Saxon Literature
- Key Works: Beowulf, "Fight at Finnsburgh," "Waldere," Andreas, Elene, Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People
Beowulf Summary
- Epic Poem: Earliest and greatest epic in English literature.
- Prologue: Not essential to the story, but showcases the poetic conception of Scyld, a Spear Dane king.
- Hero's Death (Summary): Beowulf, (prototype of King Alfred) died fighting a dragon, mourned by his people. A large mound was built in his memory, marking the hero's valor.
- Themes: Unselfish heroism, generous grief, memorialization of heroes, the importance of remembering brave deeds.
- Poem's Value: Recognized as a timeless work, depicting a brave man's death (and emotional responses) – a powerful portrait unmatched in world literature.
Anglo-Saxon Poetic Qualities
- Metrical Form: Differs from modern poetry (details not specified).
Andreas and Elene
- Themes: Andreas: Rescue of St. Matthew from cannibals and their conversion by a miraculous act; Elene: The finding of the Cross of Christ.
- Style: Andreas—spirited poem with sea descriptions; Elene—uneven quality, culminating with Cynewulf's self-insertion.
Other Key Figures
-
Bede (673-735): First great English scholar, "father of English learning." Mostly wrote in Latin, including Ecclesiastical History of the English People.
- Historical Accuracy: Bede meticulously researched, relying on various authorities (Pliny to Gildas) and testimonies from pilgrims and monks.
- Credulity: Bede also recorded miracles, reflecting the era's belief system.
- Importance: Provided crucial knowledge of eight centuries of British history.
Northumbrian School
- Location: Monasteries in Northumbria (Jarrow, Whitby).
- Key figures: Bede, Cædmon, Cynewulf (allegedly).
- Decline: Danish invasion destroyed monasteries and libraries, ending a critical period of scholarly output.
- Preservation: A few surviving fragments, primarily translated versions (West Saxon dialect).
General Works (Suggestions for Further Study)
- General Literary Appreciation: Woodberry's Appreciation of Literature, Gates's Studies in Appreciation, Bates's Talks on the Study of Literature, Worsfold's On the Exercise of Judgment in Literature, Harrison's The Choice of Books, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, and Matthew Arnold's Essays in Criticism.
- Literary Criticism: Gayley and Scott's An Introduction to the Methods and Materials of Literary Criticism, Winchester's Principles of Literary Criticism, Worsfold's Principles of Criticism, Johnson's Elements of Literary Criticism, Saintsbury's History of Criticism.
- Poetry: Gummere's Handbook of Poetics, Stedman's Nature and Elements of Poetry, Johnson's Forms of English Poetry, Alden's Specimens of English Verse, Gummere's Beginnings of Poetry , Saintsbury's History of English Prosody.
- Drama: Caffin's Appreciation of the Drama.
- Novel: Raleigh's The English Novel, Hamilton's Materials and Methods of Fiction.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge of key works in Anglo-Saxon literature, including Beowulf, Andreas, and Elene. Explore themes of heroism, valor, and the poetic qualities that define this historical period. This quiz will challenge you on important literary concepts and memorable characters.
