Old English and Middle English Literature

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Questions and Answers

What is the approximate time period during which Old English Literature emerged?

  • 500 to 1000 AD
  • 800 to 1400 AD
  • 700 to 1300 AD
  • 600 to 1200 AD (correct)

What type of works were told in the major manuscripts of the Old English period?

  • Lives of saints, religious poems, and religious narratives (correct)
  • Legends of kings and queens
  • Tales of mythical creatures
  • Adventures of brave warriors

Who is credited with preserving Old English poetry through monasteries or abbeys?

  • William, the Duke of Normandy
  • The various monasteries or abbeys (correct)
  • St. Bede
  • Alfred the Great

What is a characteristic of Old English poetry?

<p>Patterns of four-stress and six-stress lines (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a caesura in Old English poetry?

<p>To create a pause in the poem (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of Old English poetry?

<p>Use of kennings (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the guide questions about Beowulf?

<p>Evaluating the contribution of Beowulf to English literature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of comparing the original transcript of Beowulf to its translation?

<p>To understand the evolution of language (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the guide questions about King Arthur's wedding in Le Morte d'Arthur?

<p>Discussing the significance of the wedding in relation to the rest of the story (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main task in the Analysis/Drills/Writing Prompts Guide Questions for Le Morte d'Arthur?

<p>Analyzing the characters of Sir Tor, Sir Gawaine, and King Pellinore (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of analyzing the characters of Sir Tor, Sir Gawaine, and King Pellinore?

<p>To determine if they are befitting of their titles (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Le Morte d'Arthur in relation to modern life?

<p>It has lessons and morals that can be applied to modern life (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the criteria is allocated to the content of the answers?

<p>40% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of having no logical progression of details?

<p>Does Not Meet Expectations 1 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of integrating values related to learning about literature from the Old and Middle Ages?

<p>To give a better appreciation of the evolution of our language (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition for having a logical progression of details with very seamless transitions?

<p>There are no language errors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the synthesis activity?

<p>Form groups of three to four (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the restriction in choosing a chapter from Beowulf?

<p>The chapter cannot be chapter 23 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of translating the five stanzas from the chosen chapter into modern English?

<p>To understand the original text better (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of researching the English language during the Middle Ages for the assignment on The Monk's Tale?

<p>To understand the historical context of the text (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are the four figures mentioned in the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales?

<p>Lucifer, Adam, Hercules, and Samson (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of translating the stanzas from the chosen chapter into modern English?

<p>It provides a better understanding of the theme and message of the text (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to learn about literature from the Old and Middle Ages?

<p>It allows for an appreciation of the cultural and social context of the time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of answering the questions about the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales?

<p>It increases comprehension and appreciation of the text (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is iambic pentameter?

<p>A type of poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is associated with the Spenserian stanza?

<p>Edmund Spenser (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Elizabethan literature?

<p>Influence of Renaissance humanism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the poetic form used by Edmund Spenser in his works?

<p>Spenserian stanza (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the literary device used in Old English poetry?

<p>Caesura (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of 'A Companion to Old and Middle English Literature'?

<p>Laura C. Lambdin and Robert T. Lambdin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Old English Literature Time Period

Emerged roughly between 600 and 1200 AD.

Old English Manuscripts Contents

Contained lives of saints, religious poems, and narratives.

Preservation of Old English Poetry

Monasteries and abbeys played a key role in preserving these works.

Old English Poetry Pattern

Characterized by four-stress and six-stress lines.

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Caesura in Old English Poetry

A pause within a line of poetry.

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Kennings in Old English Poetry

Figurative phrases used to describe things.

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Beowulf Evaluation Focus

Focuses on how Beowulf contributed to English literature.

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Beowulf Transcript Comparison

Helps understand how language evolved.

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King Arthur's Wedding Significance

Focuses on its meaning within the entire story of King Arthur.

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Le Morte d'Arthur Character Analysis Focus

Analyzes Sir Tor, Sir Gawaine, and King Pellinore.

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Analysis of Character Suitability

Determines if characters are worthy of their titles.

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Le Morte d'Arthur Modern Relevance

Offers lessons and morals applicable to modern life.

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Answer Content Criteria Weight

40% of the overall assessment is based on the content of the answers.

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Lack of Logical Progression

Results in a score of 'Does Not Meet Expectations 1'.

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Integrating Values in Literature Study

Aims to enhance appreciation of linguistic evolution.

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Logical Progression & Seamless Transitions

Demonstrates no language errors.

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Synthesis Activity

Groups of three to four participate in the collaborative activity.

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Beowulf Chapter Restriction

Chapter 23 from Beowulf cannot be chosen.

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Translation Purpose (Beowulf)

To increase understanding of the original text.

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Middle Ages English Language Research Focus

Understanding of the historical context of the text, specifically The Monk's Tale.

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The Canterbury Tales Figures

Lucifer, Adam, Hercules, and Samson are referenced.

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Translation of Stanzas (Purpose)

Provides deeper understanding of the themes and messages of the text through translation into modern English.

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Old & Middle Ages Literature Learning Benefits

Increased understanding of the cultural and social contexts of the time periods.

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Canterbury Tales Question Answering Benefits

Improves comprehension and appreciation of the text.

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Iambic Pentameter Definition

Poetic meter with five iambs (unstressed/stressed) per line.

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Spenserian Stanza Author

Edmund Spenser developed this poetic form.

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Elizabethan Literature Influence

Influenced by Renaissance humanism.

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Edmund Spenser's Poetic Form

Spenserian stanza.

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Old English Literary Device

Caesura.

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A Companion to Old and Middle English Literature Author

Laura C. Lambdin and Robert T. Lambdin.

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Study Notes

Old English Literature (600-1200 AD)

  • Characterized by soulful and practical expressions of a people who struggled, lost, and triumphed over neighboring invaders and warring factions
  • Encompasses Anglo-Saxon written and spoken works, as well as Anglo-Latin works
  • Major manuscripts of this period told about the lives of saints, religious poems, and religious narratives

Important Personalities in Old English Literature

  • St. Bede (Venerable Bede)
  • Alfred the Great
  • Augustine of Canterbury
  • William, the Duke of Normandy

Old English Poetry and Prose

  • Survived through four manuscripts: Beowulf, The Exeter Book, The Junius or Caedmon Manuscript, and the Vercelli Book
  • Poetry is characterized by patterns of four-stress lines and six-stress lines
  • A caesura or syntactical break is placed in between the second and third stresses of the poem
  • Formulaic and draws from a common stock of phrase patterns
  • Uses kennings, a type of figurative language that replaces a noun

Values of Ancient Tribes

  • Valued traits such as bravery, honor, and loyalty

Contribution of Beowulf to English Literature

  • One of the most important works of Old English literature

Middle English Literature

  • Le Morte d'Arthur (Volume I Book III) by Thomas Malory
  • Story covers King Arthur's wedding to Guenever and the deeds of Sir Tor, Sir Gawaine, and King Pellinore

Analysis of Le Morte d'Arthur

  • Foreshadows the events of King Arthur's marriage
  • Characters' actions and personalities are reflective of the values of the time
  • Story has lessons and morals that can be applied to real life

Importance of Learning about Old and Middle English Literature

  • Gives us a better appreciation of the evolution of the English language
  • Helps us understand the values and cultural norms of the past

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