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Who is the author of the Battle of Brunanburh poem?
Who is the author of the Battle of Brunanburh poem?
Unknown; believed to be an Anglo-Saxon poet
Which stylistic devices are used in Old English poetry according to the content?
Which stylistic devices are used in Old English poetry according to the content?
The Battle of Maldon occurred in 991 A.D.
The Battle of Maldon occurred in 991 A.D.
True
Match the following authors with their works:
Match the following authors with their works:
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What is the literary device used in The Wanderer where the speaker is a warrior recalling a battle in which his friends, family, and lord are killed?
What is the literary device used in The Wanderer where the speaker is a warrior recalling a battle in which his friends, family, and lord are killed?
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Which of the following best describes the tone and mood of The Seafarer?
Which of the following best describes the tone and mood of The Seafarer?
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Match the literary technique with its description:
Match the literary technique with its description:
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The Seafarer shifts between personal experiences and general advice throughout the poem.
The Seafarer shifts between personal experiences and general advice throughout the poem.
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What is the primary focus of the poem 'The Wanderer'?
What is the primary focus of the poem 'The Wanderer'?
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Who was Sir Thomas Malory?
Who was Sir Thomas Malory?
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Merlin's demise in 'Le Morte d'Arthur' was caused by Nimue.
Merlin's demise in 'Le Morte d'Arthur' was caused by Nimue.
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Which book in 'Le Morte d'Arthur' involves the tale of Sir Gareth?
Which book in 'Le Morte d'Arthur' involves the tale of Sir Gareth?
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Who wrote the Ecclesiastical History of English People?
Who wrote the Ecclesiastical History of English People?
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Why did Bede write the Ecclesiastical History of English People?
Why did Bede write the Ecclesiastical History of English People?
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Germanic people lived in modern Britain during the 5th century.
Germanic people lived in modern Britain during the 5th century.
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Most vernacular poems in the Old English period were ________.
Most vernacular poems in the Old English period were ________.
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Match the Old English poems with their subjects:
Match the Old English poems with their subjects:
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What is the Battle of Brunanburh?
What is the Battle of Brunanburh?
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Who is the author of 'The Canterbury Tales'?
Who is the author of 'The Canterbury Tales'?
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Which character in 'The Canterbury Tales' serves as an example of someone dedicated to fulfilling religious obligations?
Which character in 'The Canterbury Tales' serves as an example of someone dedicated to fulfilling religious obligations?
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The Prioress' tale in 'The Canterbury Tales' specifically references Christianity.
The Prioress' tale in 'The Canterbury Tales' specifically references Christianity.
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The _____'s Tale is the first of Geoffrey Chaucer's twenty-four stories in 'The Canterbury Tales'.
The _____'s Tale is the first of Geoffrey Chaucer's twenty-four stories in 'The Canterbury Tales'.
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Match the following characters with the tales they are associated with:
Match the following characters with the tales they are associated with:
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Who wrote 'Doctor Faustus'?
Who wrote 'Doctor Faustus'?
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What is the genre of 'The Miller's Tale' in 'The Canterbury Tales'?
What is the genre of 'The Miller's Tale' in 'The Canterbury Tales'?
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What is the central theme in 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the central theme in 'Doctor Faustus'?
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Is Faustus tempted by knowledge and power in 'Doctor Faustus'?
Is Faustus tempted by knowledge and power in 'Doctor Faustus'?
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Who is often regarded as the Father of English Literature?
Who is often regarded as the Father of English Literature?
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Which major work by Geoffrey Chaucer is a masterpiece of world literature?
Which major work by Geoffrey Chaucer is a masterpiece of world literature?
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Geoffrey Chaucer was fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish.
Geoffrey Chaucer was fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish.
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Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with popularizing __________ in literature.
Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with popularizing __________ in literature.
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Match the following major works by Geoffrey Chaucer with their descriptions:
Match the following major works by Geoffrey Chaucer with their descriptions:
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Who is the chief devil who rules hell in the play Faustus?
Who is the chief devil who rules hell in the play Faustus?
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What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
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In 'Romeo and Juliet', who throws a huge party to introduce his daughter, Juliet, to Count Paris?
In 'Romeo and Juliet', who throws a huge party to introduce his daughter, Juliet, to Count Paris?
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In 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo and Juliet come from families that are friends and support their relationship.
In 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo and Juliet come from families that are friends and support their relationship.
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Study Notes
Historical Background
- Old English period: before King Alfred's writings in the 10th century
- 5th century: Anglo-Saxons arrived in Britain
- Germanic peoples: inhabited and ruled parts of England and Wales from the 5th century to the Norman Conquest in 1066
- Saxons: ancient Germanic people living in modern Schleswig and along the Baltic coast
- Angles and Saxons: invaded Britain in the 5th century
- Jutes: settled in Kent, Isle of Wight, and parts of Hampshire
Bede and His Work
- Bede: a monk and scholar in Northumbria, wrote multiple works on history, exegesis, hagiography, theology, and other topics
- Ecclesiastical History of the English People: a comprehensive history of the early English Christian church and English secular life
- Book I: discusses Britain's early history from the Roman invasion to 600 CE
- Book II: describes Gregory the Great and events from Gregory's death to about 633 CE
- Book III: discusses the return of Northumbria to paganism and King Oswald's victory at Heavenfield in 634 CE
- Book IV: covers the growth of the English church and the acceptance of Roman rules regarding Easter and the tonsure of monks
- Book V: covers the personal history of Holy Ethelwald and the development of the episcopate in the English church
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- A historical record that covers the history of England from the early 5th century to the mid-12th century
- Initially created in the late 9th century during the reign of Alfred the Great
- Updated by various scribes and writers over the centuries
- Covers events from the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain to the Norman Conquest of 1066
Cynewulf and His Poems
- Cynewulf: an Old English poet, flourished between the 8th and 10th centuries in Northumbria or Mercia
- Four signed poems: Christ II (or The Ascension), Juliana, The Fates of the Apostles, and Elene
- Poems belong to the genre of hagiography, "the writing of the sacred" or the legends of the saints
- Utilizes runes in acrostic passages to sign his poems
Battle of Brunanburh
- A decisive conflict that played a crucial role in the creation of the nation of England
- Occurred in 937 CE
- Celebrated in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle written about 60 years later
- Battle's location is still debated among historians, speculated to be in Yorkshire, Dumfriesshire in southern Scotland, or Bromborough on the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool in northwest England
Battle of Maldon
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Occurred in August 991 CE in Maldon, East Saxons (modern-day Essex)
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Portrays patriot Byrhtnoth facing villainous Vikings, symbolizing the fight for honor and loyalty
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Highlights the heroic deaths of Byrhtnoth and his men, praising their loyalty and virtue### The Anglo-Saxon Period
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Lasted from the 5th to the 11th century
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Characterized by continuous warfare and the transition from Paganism to Christianity
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Significant events: the Battle of Brunanburh, the Battle of Maldon, and the Norman Conquest in 1066
The Battle of Maldon
- Took place in 991 A.D.
- English forces led by Byrhtnoth faced Viking demands for money on the Pante river shore
- Initial success for the English, but Byrhtnoth's pride led to allowing Vikings onto land, resulting in intense fighting and the defeat of the Anglo-Saxons
The Wanderer
- An Anglo-Saxon poem written in Old English
- Composed of 116 lines, with each line divided symmetrically into two halves
- Focuses on the Wanderer's loss of his lord, grief, and search for wisdom
- Explores themes of suffering, loneliness, and the transience of earthly life
- Uses literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification
The Seafarer
- Another Anglo-Saxon poem written in Old English
- Composed of 125 lines, divided into two sections (part 1: lines 1-64, part 2: lines 65-125)
- Recounts the narrator's difficult life as a seafarer and his intense wanderlust despite suffering
- Evolves into a didactic, theological metaphor for the Christian journey
- Uses literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification
Generalization of Anglo-Saxon Poetry
- Characterized by the use of alliteration, rhythm, and metaphor
- Often written in Old English, with kennings and caesural stops
- Explores themes of suffering, loneliness, and spirituality
Le Morte d'Arthur
- Written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 15th century
- Derived inspiration from the works of Gildas, Nennius, and Geoffrey of Monmouth, and French romances
- Originally titled "The Whole Book of King Arthur and of His Noble Knights of the Round Table"
- Published in 1485 CE by William Caxton
- Divided into two volumes, 21 books, and 507 chapters### Sir Thomas Malory and Le Morte D'Arthur
- Sir Thomas Malory (c. 1415-1471 CE) was an English writer, famous for his work Le Morte D'Arthur.
- Le Morte D'Arthur is considered the most influential medieval prose fiction and the first written in English, providing a comprehensive treatment of the Arthurian Legend.
- The book reflects the tumultuous political and social climate of the time, particularly the events of The Wars of Roses.
- Primary characters in the book include:
- Arthur: son of King Uther Pendragon and Igraine, who became the mightiest king of his time after pulling the sword Excalibur.
- Guenevere: Arthur's wife and the lover of Lancelot, often portrayed as a damsel-in-distress.
- Sir Lancelot du Lac: King Arthur's closest companion and one of his greatest knights, who betrayed King Arthur by becoming Guenevere's lover.
- Merlin: a sorcerer who helped King Uther seduce Igraine and later became King Arthur's counselor.
- Morgan le Fay: King Arthur's sister and the mother of Sir Mordred, who plotted against King Arthur.
Structure of Le Morte D'Arthur
- The book consists of 21 chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of the Arthurian Legend.
- Key chapters include:
- Book 1: The Rise of Arthur
- Book 2: The Tale of Balin and Balan
- Book 5: The War with Rome and Sir Launcelot
- Book 11-12: The Quest for the Holy Grail
- Book 18: The Forbidden Love of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guenevere
- Book 20: The Fall of the Round Table
Main Themes of Le Morte D'Arthur
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- Honor and Chivalry: The code of chivalry as proclaimed by King Arthur, encompassing virtues such as showing mercy, fighting for good, and protecting ladies from harm.
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- Jealousy, Competition, and Revenge: The petty jealousy and rivalries that sometimes undermine the noble ideals of chivalry.
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- Trickery and Mistaken Identity: The use of trickery, both magical and otherwise, to disrupt social norms and confuse more than it reveals.
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- Journeys and Quests: The quest for the Holy Grail, which represents eternal food, youth, and happiness, and exemplifies the theme of mistaken identity and unexpected twists.
Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales
- Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400 CE) was a medieval English poet, writer, and philosopher, known as the Father of English Literature.
- Chaucer was multilingual, fluent in Italian, French, and Latin, and translated works from French and Latin to English.
- He invented the poetic form of the Rime Royal, which consists of seven lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyming scheme.
The Canterbury Tales
- The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories, narrated by pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
- The work is written in Middle English, which was popularized by Chaucer, and provides a glimpse into medieval English society.
- The pilgrimage, set in the springtime, symbolizes renewal and spiritual cleansing, aligning with the characters' quest for spiritual renewal.
Structure of The Canterbury Tales
- The General Prologue is the first section of the story, providing a summary of the poem and describing the journey undertaken by the pilgrims.
- Each of the 24 tales is told by one of the characters, representing diverse social classes and occupations.
Historical Background of The Canterbury Tales
- The Canterbury Tales was written in 14th-century England, a time of political instability and social change.
- The Black Death (bubonic plague) swept through the country in the 1340s, and increasing tax prices, combined with a growing wealth gap, culminated in the Peasants' Revolt in 1381.
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Description
This quiz explores The Wanderer, an Old English poem found in the Codex Exoniensis, and its significance in understanding early England and the Norman Conquest. It also delves into the challenges faced by the Anglo-Saxons and the unique features of Old English poetry, including alliterative meter and rhyme.
