Unit Test Review- Epic Beginnings

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop,
he poured out flour as an offering and said,
"Mountain, bring me a favorable dream."
Enkidu did the ritual for dreams,
praying for a sign. A gust of wind
passed.

This excerpt is repeated several times. What effect does this repetition have on the epic?

~It shows that Gilgamesh is a courageous hero who seeks adventure.
~It shows that Gilgamesh’s journey is both very long and very difficult.
~It shows that the landscape Gilgamesh is traveling is distant and vast.
~It shows that the supernatural are leading Gilgamesh during his quest.

~It shows that the supernatural are leading Gilgamesh during his quest.

Perspective is

~a version or adaptation of a story.
~a way of thinking about or seeing a situation.
~the way a character is presented and developed.
~the position from which a story is narrated.

~a way of thinking about or seeing a situation.

Which line best helps the reader understand Grendel’s character?

~In the beginning there were various groups of them: ragged little bands that roamed the forest on foot or horseback . . .
~Ice clung to their eyebrows and beards and eyelashes, and I’d hear them whining and groaning as they walked.
~In time I began to be more amused than revolted by what they threatened. It didn’t matter to me what they did to each other.
~Spears flying, swords whonking, arrows raining from the windows and doors of the meadhall and the edge of the woods.

~In time I began to be more amused than revolted by what they threatened. It didn’t matter to me what they did to each other.

Which word best completes the comparison of Beowulf and Grendel?

Readers of Beowulf will likely view Grendel as a villain. Readers of Grendel, however, will likely view the character as more ________.

~arrogant
~helpful
~unlikable
~sympathetic

~sympathetic

Which of these are features of epic poetry? Check all that apply.

~a courageous hero who answers a call to adventure
~a main character who has to overcome common challenges
~a journey filled with many obstacles
~a vast setting of distant landscapes
~supernatural forces, such as gods or monsters, that intervene
~circumstances that would be very familiar to readers

~a courageous hero who answers a call to adventure ~a journey filled with many obstacles ~a vast setting of distant landscapes ~supernatural forces, such as gods or monsters, that intervene

Read the excerpt from Grendel.

He sang of battles and marriages, of funerals and hangings, the whimperings of beaten enemies, of splendid hunts and harvests. He sang of Hrothgar, hoarfrost white, magnificent of mind.

When he finished, the hall was as quiet as a mound. I too was silent, my ear pressed tight against the timbers. Even to me, incredibly, he had made it all seem true and very fine.

Which statement best describes Grendel’s perspective?

~He is frightened by the power of Hrothgar and his musician.
~He is lonely and wishes to befriend the people in the great hall.
~He is caught up in the harpist’s song, just like Hrothgar’s people.
~He is confused by the people’s interest in a stranger’s song.

~He is caught up in the harpist’s song, just like Hrothgar’s people.

Consider these themes from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Battle forces people to acknowledge their mortality.

Success in battle results in glory.

Which statement best describes how these themes interact in the tale?

~Gilgamesh and Enkidu are afraid of the threat that Humbaba poses to their lives, so they forego a chance at fame.
~Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death.
~When Humbaba threatens to kill Enkidu and Gilgamesh, he claims that he will achieve great fame.
~When Humbaba is aware that Gilgamesh is going to kill him, he begs for his death to be an honorable one.

~Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death.

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.
So their gallant escort guided them
to that dazzling stronghold and indicated
the shortest way to it; then the noble warrior
wheeled on his horse and spoke these words:
"It is time for me to go. May the Almighty
Father keep you and in His kindness
watch over your exploits. I’m away to the sea,
back on alert against enemy raiders."

Which excerpts from the passage provide strong evidence that Hrothgar’s hall is famous throughout the lands? Check all that apply.

~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.
~their gallant escort guided them
to that dazzling stronghold
~I’m away to the sea,
back on alert against enemy raiders.

~Nobody on earth knew of another building like it. ~Majesty lodged there, its light shone over many lands.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

"Let your heart inspire you
to be joyous in battle, to forget about death.
If we help each other and fight side by side,
we will make a lasting name for ourselves,
we will stamp our fame on men’s minds forever."

Which sentence best states the theme of the excerpt?

~Gilgamesh ignores the threat of death.
~People’s actions determine their legacy.
~Fighting for one’s country is important.
~With reassurance, Enkidu prevails.

~People’s actions determine their legacy.

Which qualities define an epic hero? Check all that apply.

~is a strong leader or warrior
~embarks on a long journey
~studies at an academic institution
~demonstrates impressive courage
~treats enemies with compassion

~is a strong leader or warrior ~embarks on a long journey ~demonstrates impressive courage

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

Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop,
he poured out flour as an offering and said,
"Mountain, bring me a favorable dream."
Enkidu did the ritual for dreams,
praying for a sign. A gust of wind
passed. He built a shelter for the night,
placed Gilgamesh on the floor and spread
a magic circle of flour around him,
then sprawled like a net across the doorway.

Theme One: Great leaders seek supernatural help.

What other theme is addressed in the excerpt?

~Dreams recount pleasant memories.
~Shelter is essential for providing warmth.
~It is important to get a good night’s sleep before a big day.
~Friendships are supportive relationships.

~Friendships are supportive relationships

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Enkidu said, "Don’t worry, my friend,
the dream you had is a favorable one.
The mountain stands for Humbaba. He will fall
just like that mountain. Lord Shamash will grant us
victory, we will kill the monster
and leave his corpse on the battlefield."
Gilgamesh, happy with his good dream,
smiled, and his face lit up with pleasure.

What is the effect of Enkidu’s dream interpretation?

~It causes Gilgamesh to doubt his quest’s purpose.
~It encourages Gilgamesh to continue his journey.
~It distracts Gilgamesh from his intended quest.
~It frightens Gilgamesh away from fighting Humbaba.

~It encourages Gilgamesh to continue his journey.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

At four hundred miles they stopped to eat,
at a thousand miles they pitched their camp.
They had traveled for just three days and nights,
a six weeks’ journey for ordinary men.
When the sun was setting, they dug a well,
they filled their waterskins with fresh water,
Gilgamesh climbed to the mountaintop

Which statement best describes the epic feature used in this excerpt and its effect on the plot?

~The interference of the gods creates more tension and suspense in the plot.
~The use of poetic verse causes the narrative to become confusing.
~The long and difficult journey reflects how strong and enduring Gilgamesh is.
~The presence of a brave hero indicates that the challenge ahead will be simple.

~The long and difficult journey reflects how strong and enduring Gilgamesh is.

Beowulf is a(n) ______________ epic poem.
~Anglo-Saxon
~Danish
~Essex-Kent
~Wessex

~Anglo-Saxon

Jamal’s assignment for class is to write his own verse to add to Beowulf, using some of the traditions that were used in Old English poetry.

Which excerpt from Jamal’s poem best fulfills the assignment?

~And Unferth heard Beowulf’s story.
And he sulked, hearing all that glory.
~As Unferth listened to what Beowulf said,
he felt overcome with envy at what he heard
~Unferth sat back, brooding on his bench,
listening bitterly to Beowulf’s conquests
~Unferth remained in the hall with others,
Where he hid how much he was truly bothered.

~Unferth sat back, brooding on his bench, listening bitterly to Beowulf’s conquests