Anglo-Saxon/Beowulf
Exam Study Guide
Geography
·
Know and be able to label on a map
o
The four countries comprising Great
Britain
o
France
o
The English Channel
o
London
Anglo-Saxon
Period
·
Celtic Civilization
o
Religion & priests
o
Most famous Celtic ruins
o
Warriors’ blue dye
o
Basis for Arthurian legend
·
Roman Occupation
o
Beginning and ending dates
o
Roman emperor during invasion of Britain
o
Two geographical features brought to Britain
by Romans
o
Religion brought by the Romans after
Emperor Constantine converted to it
·
Anglo-Saxon Period
o
Three
major
tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes)
o
Terms for Anglo-Saxon poets
o
“Warrior Heaven”
o
Odin and Thor
o
Four main virtues (and how they relate
to Beowulf)
o
Significance of dragon in Anglo-Saxon
poetry
o
Influence of monks and monasteries
o
3 major accomplishments of Alfred the
Great
o
Event that marks the end of the
Anglo-Saxon period, as well as the date and its leader
Beowulf
·
Who wrote it? About when?
·
How do scholars account for the
Christian and Pagan elements existing concurrently in the poem? Be able to identify examples of each from a
given passage.
·
What is the one verifiable historical
reference in Beowulf? (Hygelac was a
historical figure who led a raid around the year 525).
·
What is the name of the mead-hall? Who builds it?
·
Who is Grendel’s ancestor?
·
What is wyrd? Provide an example of its importance in Beowulf?
·
What is wergild? How is this important in Beowulf?
·
What is a ring-giver?
·
What is the history between Hrothgar and
Beowulf’s father?
·
Genealogy:
o
Danes: Know Hrothgar’s ancestry back to
Shield Sheafson.
o
Gaets: Know Beowulf’s father and his
uncle whom Beowulf succeeds as king
·
Know the three battles and the major
events in each.
·
What is the name of Beowulf’s sword?
·
How does Beowulf become king of the
Gaets?
·
How many years does he rule before he
fights the dragon?
·
Who is the warrior who remains loyal to
Beowulf in his final battle?
·
How does Beowulf die?
·
What happens to Beowulf’s body after his
death?
·
What are some themes that remain
relevant today?
Literary
Terms
·
Know and be able to define, as well as
provide some characteristics of, an epic (see the list on pages 28-29 in the
textbook).
·
Know and be able to define and identify
from a selected passage:
o
Kenning
o
Alliteration
o
Caesura (a pause in the middle of a line
of poetry)
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