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Questions and Answers

Which element is a pagan belief mentioned in the text?

Belief in Fate controlling lives

Belief in one personal God

Belief in a rewarding afterlife

Belief in monsters, dragons, magic (correct)

Which element is a Christian belief mentioned in the text?

Belief in one personal God

Belief in a rewarding afterlife (correct)

Belief in monsters, dragons, magic

Belief in Fate controlling lives

What does the name Beowulf mean?

Glory spear

Bear (correct)

Unpeaceful one

Sword servant

What does the name Ecgtheow mean?

Sword servant Signup and view all the answers

What does the name Hrothgar mean?

Glory spear Signup and view all the answers

What does the name Unferth mean?

Unpeaceful one Signup and view all the answers

What is a custom of pagans mentioned in the text?

Worshipping a multiplicity of gods Signup and view all the answers

What is a custom of Christians mentioned in the text?

Giving thanks to God for help in battles Signup and view all the answers

What is the main character's nationality in Beowulf?

Geat Signup and view all the answers

Who challenges Beowulf in the story?

Unferth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the type of literature that Caedmon wrote?

Lyrics and poems Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the compounded epithets used for 'God' in 'Caedmon's Hymn'?

Heaven-Kingdom's Guardian Signup and view all the answers

According to Bede, what was the only topic Caedmon could write about?

Heaven and God's word Signup and view all the answers

What would Caedmon do at feasts when he saw the harp being passed in his direction around the song-circle?

He would get up and leave Signup and view all the answers

Who taught Caedmon how to sing and spontaneously create poetry?

An angel in his dreams Signup and view all the answers

What did the angel order Caedmon to sing about?

Creation Signup and view all the answers

How did the Abbess use Caedmon's gift of singing and writing poetry?

She turned him into a song-factory for religious poetry Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of 'The Dream of the Rood'?

Unknown Signup and view all the answers

How is the Cross described in 'The Dream of the Rood'?

Both glorious and gory Signup and view all the answers

What evidence of the Comitatus tradition do you see in 'The Dream of the Rood'?

Serving of free will Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following literary devices is described as a type of understatement that uses negative words to express the contrary?

Litote Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of Bede's epithet, 'Venerable', and why is he still known by this title?

c. The Venerable is a title given to highly respected individuals in the church. Signup and view all the answers

What was Bede's occupation or vocation?

b. Oblate Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Bede's most important book, which is the source for most of our historical knowledge of Britain from the years 449-731?

b. The Ecclesiastical History Signup and view all the answers

What is the subject matter of Bede's text and Caedmon's poem?

c. Christian faith and history Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the literature composed by Bede and Caedmon?

c. Religious instruction Signup and view all the answers

What is a kenning?

c. A compound word with a metaphorical meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is alliteration?

d. Repetition of initial consonant sounds Signup and view all the answers

What is comitatus?

c. A relationship between a Lord and thane Signup and view all the answers

Is Bede's epithet, 'Venerable', related to his beliefs as a Christian?

Yes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Beowulf

The pagan element mentioned is the custom of pagans, where they would offer sacrifices to idols.
The Christian element mentioned is the Christian belief in God.

Names and Meanings

The name Beowulf means "bee wolf" or "bare wolf".
The name Ecgtheow means "edge servant" or "sword servant".
The name Hrothgar means "famous spear" or "spear of the people".
The name Unferth means "unpeace" or "Restless".

Caedmon

Caedmon wrote in the style of Christian literature.
Compounded epithets used for 'God' in 'Caedmon's Hymn' include "Heaven's guardian", "Creator of the earth", and "Highest of heavens".
According to Bede, Caedmon could only write about the topic of religion.
Caedmon would leave the feast when he saw the harp being passed in his direction around the song-circle.
The angel taught Caedmon how to sing and spontaneously create poetry.
The angel ordered Caedmon to sing about the creation of the world.

The Dream of the Rood

The author of 'The Dream of the Rood' is unknown.
The Cross is described as a "victory tree" or "glory tree".
The evidence of the Comitatus tradition is the use of heroic language and imagery to describe the Cross.

Literary Devices

Litotes is a type of understatement that uses negative words to express the contrary.

Bede

The meaning of Bede's epithet, 'Venerable', is to show respect and reverence.
Bede's occupation or vocation was as a monk and scholar.
The title of Bede's most important book is 'The Ecclesiastical History of the English People'.
The subject matter of Bede's text and Caedmon's poem is the history of Christianity in England.

Literary Terms

A kenning is a metaphorical expression used to describe something.
Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words.
Comitatus refers to the bond between a lord and his retainers.

Christianity

Bede's epithet, 'Venerable', is related to his beliefs as a Christian.

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Description

Test your knowledge of literary devices and Old English poetry with this quiz! Learn about litotes, kennings, alliteration, dream vision poems, and the concept of comitatus. Can you identify the correct definitions and examples of these terms?