Special Sub-Topic: Old English Literature

During the Old English Period, who invaded Britannia (England)?

All of These (The Angles and the Saxons, The Danes / Scandinavians, The Jutes). The Roman legions withdrew in the 5th century in order to protect Rome, which opened up the island to invasion by the Germanic tribes (the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes). In the 9th century, the Danes invaded.

Who was the legendary literary figure said to have resisted the Germanic invaders/mercenaries?

King Arthur. Arthur has his roots both in history and in Celtic mythology. A rich literature grew up around the hero, in both English and French. Some scholars speculate that the Germanic tribes were originally hired as mercenaries by the Romans.

For many years, there was no native literature in England. What changed that?

The island became largely Christian. Christianity was practiced early on in the remote corners of Britannia, but only after St. Augustine was sent to convert King Ethelbert of Kent did the religion become widespread. In the words of the Norton Anthology, Volume One, “[b]efore Christianity, there had been no books.” The monks, as copyists, served to promote and preserve literature.

Whose "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" recounts the story of the Church in England?

Venerable Bede’s. This work was written in the Old English period, but was penned in Latin. It was finished in about 731 AD.

What Old English poem tells the story of resistance against a Scandinavian raid?

The Battle of Maldon. The heroic poem recounts a defensive battle against the raiders, which occurred in 991. The English were defeated, but the poem does not tell the readers that.

What king of the West Saxons supported literature, even translating Boethius’s “Consolation of Philosophy”?

King Alfred. Alfred also had the claim to fame of temporarily uniting several of the kingdoms in England and stopping the Danish invasion.

Bede tells the story of an unlearned cowherd who instituted a school of Christian poetry. Who was he?

Caedmon. "Caedmon’s Hymn" is one of the earliest examples of Old English writing.

The author who wrote down “Beowulf” was probably a:

Christian. The heroic poem no doubt had pagan origins, and was probably passed down orally. But in its final form, it has likely been written by a Christian monk/copyist, because it makes references to the “Lord of Life,” “The Ruler of Heaven,” “The Almighty,” and “Cain and Abel.”

Who is “the young hero” of the poem “The Dream of the Rood”?

Jesus Christ. The poem recounts a dream the narrator has about Christ’s cross. “Rood” is an old English word for cross.

Which of the following is an example of a kenning?

Triumph-tree. In “The Dream of the Rood,” the word “triumph-tree” is used to refer to Christ’s cross. A kenning replaces a single word with a compound word, often linked by a hyphen. A kenning used for God’s thoughts in “Caedmon’s Hymn” is “mind-plans,” and a kenning used for the sea in “Beowulf” is “whale-road.”

Where does this quote come from? "Then middle-earth, mankind’s Guardian, eternal Lord, afterwards made."

Caedmon’s Hymn. This is translated from the Old English poem which praises God. The Old English language has a Germanic sound and, unlike Middle English, cannot be deciphered by a modern English reader without translation.

From what work does this quote come? “Wonderful was the triumph-tree, and I stained with sins, wounded with wrongdoings.”

The Dream of the Rood. This quote is a wonderful example of the primary poetic device used in Old English poetry: alliteration. It also contains a wonderful kenning ("triumph-tree").

What work begins, “Yes, we have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes’ kings in the old days--how the princes of that people did brave deeds.”

Beowulf. This is the oldest long poem written in English, and was written sometime between the 8th and 10th century A.D.

What work contains the characters Birhtnoth and Ethelred?

The Battle of Maldon. Birthnoth was the leader of the English defense forces who unsuccessfully resisted the Scandinavian invaders.

In “Beowulf,” what is wergild?

Blood-price. In the culture of the Danes and Geats, if someone killed a kinsman, he had to be killed in turn, or he could pay a “wergild” as compensation to the family.

In “Beowulf,” what is a thane?

A warrior. The lord and his thane had a special relationship that incorporated respect, unity, and reward.

Which of the following is _not_ an Old English work?

The Canterbury Tales. “The Canterbury Tales,” by Chaucer, was written in Middle English in the 14th century.

In this poem, an exile is searching for a new lord and hall.

The Wanderer. “The Wanderer” is written in the elegiac mood. The date of authorship is uncertain.

What is the primary literary device used in Old English poetry?

Alliteration. Old English poetry rarely rhymes. Kennings are employed, but this is not the primary literary device. According to the Norton Anthology, Volume One, “The organizing device of the line is alliteration . . . The Old English alliterative line contains, on the average, four principle stresses and is divided into two half-lines.”

What work begins, “He who is alone often lives to find favor.”

The Wanderer. The poem is a lament. The main character has lost his lord and his brothers in arms. His mead hall has been destroyed.