Download Test review - Mister Ambrose

Beowulf Test Review
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Beowulf is from Geatland (modern day Sweden).
Beowulf represents the warrior archetype.
Three Major Battles
o What are the differences between two of them?
What role does Unferth play in the poem? (the taunt)
o Taunts/Boasts
o Unferth provides Beowulf the sword Hrunting
 The sword does not work, of course
Hrothgar?
Wiglaf?
Kenning – What is it? What are some examples?
Alliteration
Allusion: Grendel is descended from Cain.
What is the role of women?
o Wealthow diffuses the fight between Unferth and Beowulf.
o She acts as advisor to the king.
o She acts as hostess.
o Grendel’s mother – matriarch archetype
Archetypes (Villainess)
Characteristics of the Epic Poem
Campbell’s Monomyth
o call to adventure – he is called to Daneland
o elixir – “magic thing,” like the magic sword in Grendel’s mom’s cave
Comitatus = Tolkien’s warrior band
o a group that pledges allegiance to a lord – until death
Beowulf MCAS packet about the fight with the dragon
Beowulf is about 20 when he fights Grendel, about 70 when he fights the dragon
o This illustrates the epic nature of the poem
Why do we fight the dragon?
o Someone stole from his horde of treasure, then the dragon attacks the mead hall for
revenge.
mead hall
What religion is the narrator?
o Probably started out as Pagan, but then is clearly Christian.
What does Herot mean?
o stag = deer-like thing associated with royalty
o heart
What does Beowulf means?
o Beow = Pagan God
o Beo=bee, wulf=foe => bear-like warrior
Good vs. evil
Oral tradition written in Old English