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Questions and Answers
Who is the king of the Danes in Beowulf?
Who is the king of the Danes in Beowulf?
Grendel’s mother seeks to avenge the death of her son.
Grendel’s mother seeks to avenge the death of her son.
True
What is the name of the dragon that Beowulf fights in his old age?
What is the name of the dragon that Beowulf fights in his old age?
The Dragon
Beowulf kills Grendel and takes his ______ as a trophy.
Beowulf kills Grendel and takes his ______ as a trophy.
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Match the characters to their descriptions:
Match the characters to their descriptions:
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Who gives Beowulf his unfailing sword during the fight with Grendel's mother?
Who gives Beowulf his unfailing sword during the fight with Grendel's mother?
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The story of Beowulf was originally written down by Scandinavian authors.
The story of Beowulf was originally written down by Scandinavian authors.
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What language was Beowulf originally written in?
What language was Beowulf originally written in?
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Beowulf's fight with the dragon ultimately leads to his ______.
Beowulf's fight with the dragon ultimately leads to his ______.
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What major warning does Hrothgar give to Beowulf during the story?
What major warning does Hrothgar give to Beowulf during the story?
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What was the primary reason English monks referenced the Christian God instead of Pagan Norse gods in their writings?
What was the primary reason English monks referenced the Christian God instead of Pagan Norse gods in their writings?
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The Vikings were known for their peaceful and non-violent ways.
The Vikings were known for their peaceful and non-violent ways.
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What literary significance does Beowulf hold historically?
What literary significance does Beowulf hold historically?
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The primary poetic structure used in Beowulf consists of _____ stresses on each line.
The primary poetic structure used in Beowulf consists of _____ stresses on each line.
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Match the characters of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight with their descriptions:
Match the characters of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight with their descriptions:
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Which of the following themes is NOT associated with Beowulf?
Which of the following themes is NOT associated with Beowulf?
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The Vikings' society was characterized by gender equality.
The Vikings' society was characterized by gender equality.
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What is one significant aspect of the Viking ships?
What is one significant aspect of the Viking ships?
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The Mead-Hall symbolizes _____ in Norse culture.
The Mead-Hall symbolizes _____ in Norse culture.
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Who is the powerful sorceress related to King Arthur in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight?
Who is the powerful sorceress related to King Arthur in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight?
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What was the official language of England from 1066 to the late 1300s?
What was the official language of England from 1066 to the late 1300s?
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Geoffrey Chaucer was born into a working-class family.
Geoffrey Chaucer was born into a working-class family.
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Who is the main character in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
Who is the main character in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
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The __________ is a famous tapestry that illustrates the Norman conquest of England.
The __________ is a famous tapestry that illustrates the Norman conquest of England.
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Match the following characters from The Canterbury Tales with their descriptions:
Match the following characters from The Canterbury Tales with their descriptions:
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Which character is known for leading a coup against King Henry IV in Henry IV, Part 1?
Which character is known for leading a coup against King Henry IV in Henry IV, Part 1?
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The Lady of the castle in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight successfully seduces Sir Gawain.
The Lady of the castle in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight successfully seduces Sir Gawain.
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In what type of verse is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written?
In what type of verse is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written?
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The moral of the Miller's Tale is to not be __________.
The moral of the Miller's Tale is to not be __________.
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Who is associated with the creation of the game that Sir Gawain participates in?
Who is associated with the creation of the game that Sir Gawain participates in?
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Study Notes
Beowulf
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Characters:
- Beowulf: Young Geatland hero.
- Hrothgar: King of the Danes.
- Wiglaf: Swedish warrior who assists Beowulf and inherits the throne.
- Hygelac: King of the Geats.
- Wealhtheow: Queen of the Danes.
- Grendel: Monster attacking Heorot.
- Grendel's Mother: Seeks revenge for Grendel's death.
- The Dragon: Threatens Beowulf's kingdom in his later years.
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Major Plot Points:
- Grendel terrorizes Hrothgar's mead hall (Heorot).
- Beowulf arrives to fight Grendel.
- Beowulf slays Grendel and takes his arm.
- Hrothgar rewards Beowulf.
- Grendel's Mother seeks revenge; Beowulf battles and kills her.
- Beowulf returns home, becomes king.
- Years later, Beowulf fights a dragon.
- Assisted by Wiglaf, Beowulf kills the dragon but dies in battle.
- Wiglaf takes over as king.
Beowulf: Literary and Historical Context
- Composition Period: Likely composed orally between the 7th and 11th centuries.
- Language: Written in Old English.
- Original Form: Initially told orally by Norse people.
- Origin: Scandinavian in origin, not directly transcribed by Scandinavians.
- Preservation: Survives in one damaged manuscript, saved by a monk.
- Transcriber: Written down by English Christian monks.
- Monk's Influence: Monks adjusted the story to reflect Christian beliefs.
- Monk Knowledge Source: Vikings had a presence in England, and the monks likely heard and altered the accounts.
Beowulf: Other Context
- First English Literary Text: Beowulf is considered the first English literary text known.
- Pre-Unified England: Composed before the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
- Christian Manuscript Date: Written between 975 and 1025.
- Pre-Norman Conquest: Written in Old English
- Viking Warriors: Vikings established a global trade network, were skilled ship builders and raiders, and had a unique social structure with gender equality.
Beowulf: Themes and Symbols
- Themes: Loyalty, gift-giving, revenge, heroism, Viking values, lineage, and religion (Christian vs. Pagan).
- Symbols: Mead-hall (representing culture), fire and water (representing light/dark), animals/monsters, treasure, and weapons (especially swords).
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
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Characters:
- Sir Gawain: Protagonist, noble knight.
- The Green Knight: Supernatural figure challenging Gawain.
- King Arthur: Legendary King.
- Queen Guinevere: King Arthur's Queen.
- Lord Bertilak: Host, test for Sir Gawain.
- Lady Bertilak: Tests Sir Gawain.
- Morgan le Fay: Powerful sorceress, plots against Gawain.
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Context:
- Norman Influence: The period saw Norman influence in English culture and language.
- French Language: French was the official language of England between 1066 and the late 1300s.
- Middle English: Written in Middle English, specifically the Cheshire dialect of Middle English in the latter half of the 14th century.
- Author: Unknown, likely a secular cleric or priest.
- Chivalric Romance: Genre focusing on hero's quest with trials, ideal of civilized behavior, inspired by French literature but incorporates elements of Arthurian legends.
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Summary: Arthur's court encounters the Green Knight. Sir Gawain accepts the Green Knight's challenge. Gawain travels to Bertilak's castle and passes tests concerning self-control. Gawain is tempted by Lady Bertilak but remains loyal to his code. Gawain is only slightly punished by Green Knight, since Gawain almost followed the rules of the game all 3 days. The Green Knight was always the Lord of the Castle all along.
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Meter: Alliterative verse with longer stanzas using a "bob and wheel" structure
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Themes and Symbols
- Themes: Chivalry, religion, role of women, supernatural, imperfection of humanity, importance of duty.
- Symbols: Gawain's shield (pentangle representing five senses/themes), games, Christmas, perfection/imperfection of humanity.
The Canterbury Tales
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Historical Context:
- Chaucer: Father of English poetry, wrote in English. Upper-middle-class background, extensive education. Served in the military and parliament, travelled. Christian but critical of the church.
- Time Period: Written between 1387 and 1400.
- Language: In Middle English.
- Inspiration: Chaucer drew from the fabliau genre: humorous, satirical stories, often with sexual or bawdy humor.
- Audience: Primarily read by the wealthy, but also read aloud to lower classes.
- Purpose: Satire and humor.
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Summary: A group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral. The play opens with the narrator at the Tabard inn in London, and he introduces the different pilgrims present. Characterization is done through descriptions, actions, direct and indirect. Pilgrims come from different backgrounds/classes (Knight; Squire; Prioress; Friar; Merchant; Wife of Bath; Pardoner; Parson; Monk; Miller).
The Canterbury Tales: Pilgrim Groupings
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Groups of Pilgrims:
- Merchants, Lawyers, and corrupt church officials: Wealthy but sometimes corrupt and/or greedy.
- Guildsmen: Emerging Merchant class, well dressed and wealthy.
- Common People/Poor: Plowman, Knight.
- Appearance-focused Members: Prioress, Squire.
- Satire and Humor: Shows the different personalities and societal classes among the pilgrims.
The Canterbury Tales: Specific Characters and Tales
- Miller's Tale: A humorous story involving deception, lust, and social commentary about a carpenter and his wife.
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Specific Characters (Summary):
- Includes multiple characters who represent different parts of society: peasants, the clergy, merchants, and more. Characters have specific personalities, flaws, and motivations.
Henry IV, Part 1
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Historical Context:
- Shakespeare: Playwright who wrote in Early Modern English using iambic pentameter.
- Renaissance: Historical period seen in the play. Printing press increased ideas/arts. Humanism.
- Time Period: Written in 1596, set in the 1400s.
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Summary:
- Political tensions between King Henry IV and his son, Prince Hal (later Henry V). Hal struggles with his own ambitions.
- Court corruption and rebellion against the King. Hotspur leads a rebellion.
- Play explores themes of corruption, ambition, and the challenges of kingship.
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Description
Explore the epic tale of Beowulf, the hero of Geatland, as he confronts formidable foes such as Grendel and the dragon. Dive into the major characters and plot points that form the backbone of this timeless narrative. Understand the literary and historical context of the work that has influenced generations.
