The Wife's Lament Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the woman feel toward the 'young man' in this quotation?

compassion

How does recognizing historical context help a reader understand certain occurrences in Anglo-Saxon poetry?

It gives the reader clues about the situation in the time period in which it was written.

What is the purpose of a caesura in a line of Anglo-Saxon poetry?

indicate a pause for breath

What initiated the wife's exile in 'The Wife's Lament'?

a plot by her husband's kinsmen Signup and view all the answers

What literary characteristics are used in the quotation 'For since my lord departed from this people...'?

caesura Signup and view all the answers

What words or phrases help you to recognize the historical context of the line about the 'weary-hearted lord'?

my weary-hearted lord Signup and view all the answers

In 'The Wife's Lament,' how does the wife perceive her husband?

melancholy, as she is Signup and view all the answers

What is an elegy?

lyrical poem that expresses a mourning for someone or something Signup and view all the answers

What is a lyric poem?

a poem that expresses emotion Signup and view all the answers

How do caesuras reinforce the meaning of the elegy?

weary with winter Signup and view all the answers

What do the repeating 's' and 'lo' sounds reinforce?

sorrowfulness Signup and view all the answers

How is 'The Wanderer' similar to 'The Wife's Lament'?

both speakers are alone and exiled due to Anglo-Saxon characteristics Signup and view all the answers

How is 'The Wanderer' different from 'The Wife's Lament'?

the speakers are exiled for different reasons Signup and view all the answers

Why is 'The Wife's Lament' considered an elegy?

the speaker is mourning the loss of her husband in the form of separation Signup and view all the answers

Why is the wife separated from her husband?

her husband's kinsman plotted against their marriage Signup and view all the answers

What was the husband forced to choose between?

comitatus with family or the bond of matrimony Signup and view all the answers

What was the wife offered as wergild?

she was offered in reparation for the death of a tribesman Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Wife's Lament' show about women in Anglo-Saxon culture?

any bond with a man is stronger than a bond with a woman Signup and view all the answers

How are women seen in Anglo-Saxon culture? (Examples through Beowulf)

choose monstrous and out of the norm and you are a monster; choose servitude and obedience and you are a queen Signup and view all the answers

What is the imagery in 'The Wife's Lament' symbolic of?

symbolizes the sorrow of the wife Signup and view all the answers

What is the earth cave symbolic of?

it is the wife's symbolic death Signup and view all the answers

What are other women characters in literature that are similar to the wife?

Hagar, Rebecca, Hester, Eve Signup and view all the answers

What was the first literature of the Anglo-Saxons?

riddles Signup and view all the answers

Who would tell the riddles?

scops that were very revered Signup and view all the answers

How important was the ability to tell a good riddle?

as important as being good in battle Signup and view all the answers

Why was the ability to tell riddles so important?

way of preserving culture just like winning a war would be Signup and view all the answers

What literary devices are found in riddles?

parallel structure, sound devices, personification, imagery, rhythm, kenning, caesura, alliteration Signup and view all the answers

Where is the word 'kenning' derived from?

to know Signup and view all the answers

What is a kenning?

compound words that stand for another word Signup and view all the answers

What is a caesura?

break in the middle of a line of poetry Signup and view all the answers

How do you find a caesura?

a natural pause in speech Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Themes and Emotions in "The Wife's Lament"

The speaker expresses compassion towards her husband, acknowledging the burdens one faces despite needing to appear cheerful (lines 42-45).
The speaker perceives her husband as melancholic, reflecting her own sorrow.

Historical Context and Literary Devices

Understanding the historical context enhances comprehension of events and character motivations in Anglo-Saxon poetry.
Caesura serves as a pause for breath, structuring the rhythm and enhancing emotional weight.
Recurrent phrases like "my weary-hearted lord" highlight significant historical struggles, emphasizing themes of separation and longing.

Literary Characteristics

The quote about the departed lord exemplifies caesura, marking a rhythmic pause and emotional depth.
Elegy is characterized as a lyrical poem expressing mourning; every elegy is a lyric poem, but not all lyrics are elegies.

Exile and Relationships

The wife's exile is a result of a conspiracy by her husband's kinsmen.
The wife's lament highlights the fragility of marital bonds in a male-dominated culture, where identities are often tied to men.

Cultural Reflections on Women

Women's roles in Anglo-Saxon culture illustrate that bonds with men supersede female friendships; the wife is unnamed, reflecting her identity linked to her husband.
Referenced characters like Hagar, Rebecca, Hester, and Eve present modern parallels to the wife's experience.

Imagery and Symbolism

Imagery in "The Wife's Lament" symbolizes the wife’s sorrow, illustrated through depictions of nature: forests, caves, storms, darkness, and coldness.
The "earth cave" represents the wife's symbolic death, signifying her disconnection from her tribe and husband.

Predicament of the Husband

The husband faces a difficult choice between loyalty to family (comitatus) and the marital bond.

Cultural Significance of Riddles

The first literature of the Anglo-Saxons consisted of riddles, told by revered scops.
Mastery in riddle-telling was as significant as excellence in battle, serving as a method for cultural preservation.

Literary Devices in Riddles

Riddles commonly utilized literary devices such as parallel structure, sound devices, personification, imagery, rhythm, kenning, caesura, and alliteration.

Understanding Kenning and Caesura

"Kenning" originates from the word "to know," involving compound phrases that represent singular concepts, e.g., “flower planter” for gardener.
Caesura refers to a natural pause within a line of poetry, serving to enhance emotional expression and narrative pacing.

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Description

Explore key concepts and themes from 'The Wife's Lament' through this set of flashcards. Each card delves into character emotions and the historical context of Anglo-Saxon poetry, enhancing your understanding of this classic work.