UNIT TEST (1) 92%

Which statements accurately compare Beowulf and Grendel? Check all that apply.

Both works are written in an Old English poetic style.
Beowulf characterizes Grendel as bloodthirsty, but Grendel shows Grendel’s gentler side.
Beowulf is sympathetic to the humans, while Grendel shows the monster’s perspective.
Both works focus primarily on the hero, Beowulf.
Beowulf is a contemporary version of an old tale, while Grendel is based on oral tradition.

Beowulf characterizes Grendel as bloodthirsty, but Grendel shows Grendel’s gentler side. Beowulf is sympathetic to the humans, while Grendel shows the monster’s perspective.

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.

Which statement best describes how Gilgamesh’s dreams affect the plot of Gilgamesh: A New English Version?

The dreams lessen any tension in the plot.
The dreams introduce the main idea.
The dreams shift the focus from Gilgamesh.
The dreams create conflict and suspense.

The dreams create conflict and suspense.

Which detail from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best illustrates a courageous hero?

Gilgamesh standing at the top of the mountain and asking for favorable dreams
Gilgamesh dreaming of an eagle with a lion’s head and a flaming mouth
Gilgamesh asking Enkidu to explain the meaning of his dream to him
Gilgamesh standing at edge of the Cedar Forest, ready to battle Humbaba

Gilgamesh standing at edge of the Cedar Forest, ready to battle Humbaba

Consider the excerpt and theme from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Enkidu said, "Don’t worry, my friend,
the dream you had is a favorable one.
The eagle that you saw, with a lion’s head,
stands for Humbaba. Though it dived straight toward you
and terrifying flames shot from its mouth,
nothing could cause you harm. The young man
who came to your rescue was our lord, Shamash.
He will stand beside us when the monster attacks.
Whatever happens, we will prevail."
Gilgamesh, happy with his good dream,
smiled, and his face lit up with pleasure.

Theme One: Dreams have valuable meanings.

What other theme is addressed in the excerpt?

Imaginary monsters pose no threat.
People can depend on their god(s).
One must be prepared for battle.
Happiness leads to great success.

People can depend on their god(s).

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Then, from heaven, the voice of the god
called to Gilgamesh: "Hurry, attack,
attack Humbaba while the time is right,
before he enters the depths of the forest,
before he can hide there and wrap himself
in his seven auras with their paralyzing glare.
He is wearing just one now. Attack him! Now!"

What effect does Lord Shamash’s intervention have on the epic?

It scares Gilgamesh and leads the audience to believe that Gilgamesh will lose.
It encourages Gilgamesh to fight and adds excitement for the audience.
It causes Gilgamesh to run away and increases the audience’s unease.
It causes Gilgamesh to slowly withdraw and provides the audience with relief.

It encourages Gilgamesh to fight and adds excitement for the audience.

Which best defines the word repetition in epic poetry?

the recurrence of words and phrases for a specific effect
the duplication of main ideas for development
the reproduction of images for emphasis
the reappearance of characters for a surprise reaction

the recurrence of words and phrases for a specific effect

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Gilgamesh backed away. He said,
"How dreadful Humbaba’s face has become!
It is changing into a thousand nightmare
faces, more horrible than I can bear.
I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on."

Enkidu answered, "Why, dear friend,
do you speak like a coward? What you just said
is unworthy of you. It grieves my heart.
We must not hesitate or retreat."

Which sentence best states the theme of the excerpt?

People must persevere despite their fears.
Enkidu is a loyal source of encouragement.
Gilgamesh needs support to overcome his fear.
Cowardice leads to defeat and death.

People must persevere despite their fears.

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

Which detail from Gilgamesh: A New English Version best illustrates a challenging journey?

The two men travel a thousand miles at a time before they stop for the night.
Gilgamesh makes an offering to the mountain and asks for a favorable dream.
Gilgamesh dreams that an enormous mountain falls on him and Enkidu.
The two men can hear the roar of Humbaba as they get to the Cedar Forest.

The two men travel a thousand miles at a time before they stop for the night.

Read the line from Grendel.

Hrothgar met with his council for many nights and days, and they drank and talked and prayed to their curious carved-out creatures and finally came to a decision.

Which statement best describes Grendel’s perspective?

He describes the length of the men’s decision-making process.
He describes the way the men socialize and relax together.
He thinks that the men’s religious behavior is strange and interesting.
He thinks that Hrothgar is a strong leader who will challenge any opponent.

He thinks that the men’s religious behavior is strange and interesting.

In Gilgamesh: A New English Version, Gilgamesh repeatedly has dreams and says, "Enkidu, dear friend, I have had a dream."

What effect does this repetition have?

It creates a main idea that the audience can understand, and it establishes Gilgamesh as the main character.
It creates a rhythmic pattern that the audience can follow, and it signals that the audience will hear a new dream.
It creates a new structure that the audience needs to hear, and it shows how long Gilgamesh’s journey has been.
It creates a vivid image that the audience can see, and it establishes a more realistic way of storytelling.

It creates a rhythmic pattern that the audience can follow, and it signals that the audience will hear a new dream.

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

The use of _______ is a common feature of epic poetry like The Rámáyan of Válmíki.

detailed descriptions

Read the passage from The Rámáyan of Válmíki.

His brother, fell before his feet,
And cried, "Thy claim all men allow:
O come, our lord and king be thou."
But Ráma nobly chose to be
Observant of his sire’s decree.
He placed his sandals in his hand
A pledge that he would rule the land:
And bade his brother turn again.
Then Bharat, finding prayer was vain,
The sandals took and went away;
Nor in Ayodhyá would he stay.
But turned to Nandigráma, where
He ruled the realm with watchful care,
Still longing eagerly to learn
Tidings of Ráma’s safe return.

Bharat is characterized as a(n) ______ king.

ineffective

Read the passage from The Rámáyan of Válmíki.

His brother, fell before his feet,
And cried, "Thy claim all men allow:
O come, our lord and king be thou."
But Ráma nobly chose to be
Observant of his sire’s decree.

The reader can conclude that the passage is part of an epic poem because Ráma

is a royal prince.
has a loyal following.
is a courageous hero.
has a devoted brother.

is a courageous hero.

What is one effect of repeating Ráma’s name numerous times in The Rámáyan of Válmíki?

It creates a rhythmic pattern.
It emphasizes Ráma’s importance.
It identifies Ráma as supernatural.
It shows that Ráma is the main villain.

It identifies Ráma as supernatural.

Read the passage from "A Shield."

A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,
Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,
Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,
Much stubborn strife.

Which feature most helps indicate to the reader that this modern translation was originally an Old English poem?

alliteration
character
plot
rhyme

alliteration

Read the passage from "A Shield."

A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,
Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,
Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,
Much stubborn strife.

Which word from the passage helps characterize the shield as part of Anglo-Saxon culture?

warrior
iron
wounded
strife

warrior

Read the passage from "A Shield."

A lonely warrior,I am wounded with iron,
Scarred with sword-points,sated with battle-play,
Weary of weapons.I have witnessed much fighting,
Much stubborn strife.From the strokes of war
I have no hopefor help or release
Ere I pass from the worldwith the proud warrior band.

Which is the best summary of the passage’s theme?

War leaves enduring scars.
Fighting leads to contentment.
Great honor is found in battle.
It takes courage to end conflict.

War leaves enduring scars.

Read the excerpt from Lena’s paper on "A Shield."

Based on the phrases "I am wounded with iron" and "I have witnessed much fighting," the shield in the poem must be an old shield carried by a seasoned warrior.

In her statement, Lena is

analyzing the historical impact of the text.
assessing the use of alliteration in the text.
studying the development of language in the text.
supporting an inference with evidence from the text.

supporting an inference with evidence from the text.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

At last for the Danemen,
When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished.
The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil,
Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar,
Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work,
In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen
For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished,
Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully . . .

Based on the passage, what is most likely the Danish perspective on the battle?

They are proud that Grendel is dead and they helped kill him.
They are afraid of Beowulf conquering them now that Grendel is dead.
They are sad that Beowulf showed no mercy and Grendel is dead.
They are relieved that Grendel is dead and their trials are over now.

They are relieved that Grendel is dead and their trials are over now.

Read the excerpt from a paper on Beowulf.

Beowulf builds upon the message "good will overcome evil" by also including the message "those who overcome challenges are rewarded."

The paper compares .

themes

Read the passage about Grendel from Beowulf.

For no cause whatever would the earlmen’s defender
Leave in life-joys the loathsome newcomer,
He deemed his existence utterly useless
To men under heaven.

Now, read the passage about Hrothgar from Grendel.

Meanwhile, those who paid tribute to him were forced to strike at more distant halls to gather the gold they paid to Hrothgar—and a little on the side for themselves. His power overran the world, from the foot of my cliff to the northern sea to the impenetrable forests south and east. They hacked down trees in widening rings around their central halls and blistered the land with peasant huts and pigpen fences till the forest looked like an old dog dying of mange.

Which is the most accurate comparison of the two passages?

From Beowulf’s perspective, the Danes are helpless innocents, but from Grendel’s perspective, Grendel is the helpless innocent.
From Beowulf’s perspective, Grendel is a villain, but from Grendel’s perspective, Hrothgar and the Danes are the villains.
Both Beowulf and Grendel think they are acting to save the environment from further destruction.
Both Beowulf and Grendel think they are acting according to the will of the gods.

From Beowulf’s perspective, Grendel is a villain, but from Grendel’s perspective, Hrothgar and the Danes are the villains.

Read the passage from Beowulf.

He joyed in the night-work,
In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen
For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished,
Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully,
The craft-begot evil they erstwhile had suffered
And were forced to endure from crushing oppression,
Their manifold misery.

Based on the passage, the reader can infer that

the Danes are eager for Beowulf’s departure.
the Danes are resentful of Beowulf’s bragging.
Beowulf is planning to continue being a warrior.
Beowulf is intending to become king of the Danes.

Beowulf is planning to continue being a warrior.