V4A What do yu know?

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Timeline (450-1066)

• 55 BC - 450 AD: Great Britain under Roman rule

• After 450 AD: Celts attack, Romans withdraw --> Migration of the people --> Anglo-Saxon settlers

• 7th century turn to Christianity --> increase Latin & Old English literature --> 793 Vikings attack --> Viking settlers

•  8th-11th century Wars for the crown --> 1066 end of Anglo-Saxon era and beginning of Norman period  ( = French influence)

Seven kingdoms

• In the Anglo Saxon period, society was dominated by lords and retainers, as depicted in Beowulf.
• Poets provided entertainment by reciting well-known poems from memory.

1. The Old English Period lasted from:

1. 250-900
2. 350-1000
3. 450-1100
4. 550-1200

2. Which of the following groups did not invade England in the Old English period?

1. Saxons
2. Jutes
3. Franks
4. Angles

English Literature

This year: The Middle Ages (period 4)

• Beowulf
• Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Robin Hood
• Canterbury Tales

Beowulf is …..

1. a sonnet
2. a frame story
3. an epic poem
4. an allegory

Beowulf is written in

1. Old English and alliterative verse
2. Middle English and alliterative verse
3. Old English and rhyme
4. middle English and rhyme

Beowulf has the following TEXTUAL characteristic:

1. rhyming lines
2. alliteration
3. assonance
4. personification

historical context:
Beowulf describes...

1. the way kings fight
2. the way religion influences people
3. the way warriors are organized
4. the way English farmers live

Fill in the gaps:
in Beowulf, .........., the hero, first kills ........, then he kills..........., and finally............

1. Grendel/, a dragon/ a monster/ he becomes king
2. Beowulf/ a dragon / another dragon/he is killed
3. Beowulf / a monster / another monster / he slays a dragon
4. Beowulf / a monster / another monster / he dies in his sleep

Beowulf

• Heroic epic poem (3,182 lines).
• Oldest European text in vernacular language (Old English).
• Dates from the 6th century(?)
• Oldest copy is a manuscript from the late 10th century (British Museum) by an anonymous monk.
• Lines aren't linked by rhyme, but alliteration.
• Setting is Scandinavia.

1

 The poem is set in a period where Christianity had yet to become established all across Western Europe. Nevertheless, there are many references to God in the poem.

Can you suggest why this might be?

2

At the start of the first quoted passage, Grendel is introduced as a bloodthirsty monster. Give a number of examples from which his nature is appararent.

3

a. In the second passage, Wiglaf lists various valuables that Beowulf has given to his retainers. Why does he do so?

b. What does Wiglaf accuse the retainers of? Why is this such a serious accusation?

English Literature

PTA exam this period: The Middle Ages 

• Beowulf
• Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
• Riddles
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Robin Hood
• Canterbury Tales

The hero of the story 

The monster that must be defeated

The name of the king Beowulf sets out to help

The second monster that Beowulf has to fight

The name of the mead hall that is being terrorised by the monster

The third monster that Beowulf has to fight

Heorot

Beowulf

Grendel

Grendel's mother

Hrothgar

A nameless dragon