Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature- Beowulf

Both Old English and modern English poetry use alliteration, which is

~a long pause.
~the use of two stressed syllables.
~a type of rhyme.
~the repetition of consonant sounds.

~the repetition of consonant sounds.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

The hero arose, surrounded closely
by his powerful thanes. A party remained
under orders to keep watch on the arms;
the rest proceeded, led by their prince
under Heorot’s roof.
And standing on the hearth
in webbed links that the smith had woven,
the fine-forged mesh of his gleaming mail-shirt,
resolute in his helmet, Beowulf spoke:

Which word from the passage is a feature of Anglo-Saxon culture?

~powerful
~thanes
~roof
~gleaming

~thanes

Read the passage from Beowulf.

Then it was like old times in the echoing hall,
proud talk and the people happy,
loud and excited; until soon enough
Halfdane’s heir had to be away
to his night’s rest. He realized
that the demon was going to descend on the hall,
that he had plotted all day, from dawn-light
until darkness gathered again over the world
and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth
under the cloud-murk.

The passage features Anglo-Saxon culture because people are

~feasting.
~laughing.
~relaxing.
~worrying.

~feasting.

__________ refers to a conclusion based on evidence in the text.

~Alliteration
~Development
~Inference
~Repetition

~Inference

Read Anja’s inference about Hrothgar.

Despite Grendel’s success in killing Hrothgar’s men, Hrothgar’s faith in God remained unshaken.

Which passage best supports her inference?

~[Hrothgar] Now Holy God has, in His goodness, guided him here to the West-Danes, to defend us from Grendel.

~[Beowulf] Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgment by God.

~[Beowulf] Light came from the east, bright guarantee of God, and the waves went quiet; I could see headlands

~[Wealhtheow] With measured words she welcomed the Geat and thanked God for granting her wish

~[Hrothgar] Now Holy God has, in His goodness, guided him here to the West-Danes, to defend us from Grendel.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

"It bothers me to have to burden anyone
with all the grief Grendel has caused
and the havoc he has wreaked upon us in Heorot,
our humiliations. My household-guard
are on the wane, fate sweeps them away
into Grendel’s clutches—
but God can easily
halt these raids and harrowing attacks!

Which interpretation of Beowulf does the passage best support?

~When studying Beowulf, the reader experiences the gift-giving and hospitality prominent in Anglo-Saxon culture.

~One of the interesting things about Beowulf is the way it portrays the feasts and warrior tribes in Anglo-Saxon culture.

~One thing the reader should note when studying Anglo-Saxon culture in Beowulf is the way lords and thanes interact.

~While reading Beowulf, the reader encounters aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture such as Christian and Pagan traditions.

~While reading Beowulf, the reader encounters aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture such as Christian and Pagan traditions.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

They marched in step,
hurrying on till the timbered hall
rose before them, radiant with gold.
Nobody on earth knew of another
building like it. Majesty lodged there,
its light shone over many lands.

Which feature of Old English poetry did this modern translation maintain?

~alliteration
~full lines
~rhyme
~short pauses

~alliteration

Read the passage from Beowulf.

From where he crouched at the king’s feet,
Unferth, a son of Ecglaf’s, spoke
contrary words. Beowulf’s coming,
his sea-braving, made him sick with envy:
he could not brook or abide the fact
that anyone else alive under heaven
might enjoy greater regard than he did:

The passage supports the inference that Unferth is

~acclaimed.
~frail.
~petty.
~religious.

~petty.

Read Micah’s inference about Beowulf.

Beowulf does not fear death.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day;
he will glut himself on the Geats in the war-hall,
swoop without fear on that flower of manhood
as on others before. Then my face won’t be there
to be covered in death: he will carry me away
as he goes to ground, gorged and bloodied;
he will run gloating with my raw corpse
and feed on it alone, in a cruel frenzy,
fouling his moor-nest. No need then
to lament for long or lay out my body:
if the battle takes me, send back
this breast-webbing that Weland fashioned
and Hrethel gave me, to Lord Hygelac.
Fate goes ever as fate must."

Which sentence or phrase from the passage most likely helped Micah make his inference?

~it will be a gruesome day;
~Then my face won’t be there to be covered in death:
~if the battle takes me, send back this breast-webbing
~Fate goes ever as fate must.

~Fate goes ever as fate must.

To make an inference correctly, a reader should

~explain how the inference is influenced by modern language.
~show how the inference impacts the language in the text.
~provide evidence to support the inference.
~describe how the inference affects the plot.

~provide evidence to support the inference.