Old English Literature Quiz

Old English Period

• Old English refers to the language and literature spoken and written in England during the Anglo-Saxon rule from 450 AD to 1066 AD.
• Old English is directly related to modern English, and many modern words came from Old English.

Characteristics of Old English Literature

• Strong belief in fate
• Juxtaposition of the church and pagan worlds
• Admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle
• Expression of religious faith and moral instruction through literature

Style and Genres

• Oral tradition of literature
• Poetry is the dominant genre
• Unique forms: caesura, alliteration, and repetition

Key Literature and Authors

• Beowulf
• Exeter Book
• The Venerable Bede

Importance of Old English

• Shows the origins of English and its relation to other languages
• Provides insight into the history, society, and geography of England

Historical Events

• In the 5th century AD, Germanic tribes (Saxons, Angles, and Jutes) came to the British Isles from northwest Germany and Denmark.
• The Anglo-Saxons brought their Germanic language, which mixed with Latin and Celtic languages.
• The Vikings invaded in 878 AD, introducing Norse words to English.

Beowulf

• Beowulf is an epic poem, considered the supreme achievement of Anglo-Saxon poetry.
• It is a long heroic epic poem with 3,182 lines, showing sustained high quality.
• The author is unknown, but seems to have had a good grasp of the Bible and other great epics.
• The poem glorifies a hero and the values of bravery and generosity.

Setting and Themes

• Beowulf is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived.
• The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 AD.
• The poem explores common themes still seen in English literature today, including Christian values vs. pagan values.