Name: ________________________________
Anglo-Saxon Literature / Beowulf Unit Test Study Guide
For each bullet point, fill in the details from your notes that identify or define the term. Completed study guides are due at
the beginning of the test will be counted as a classwork grade.
Conquest of England
 Trace the history of England’s conquerors and identify the contribution of each group
Anglo-Saxon Literature
 Elegiac Poetry
 Anglo-Saxon Chronicles
 Exeter Book
 “The Wife’s Lament” – author and theme of poem
 Peaceweaver
 Purpose of Anglo-Saxon Riddles
 Literary devices: kenning, caesura, assonance, alliteration
Development of the English Language
 Time period and influences for each period of English development:
o Old English
o Middle English
o Modern English
History of Beowulf
 Language it was originally written in
 Approximate date it was written down
 Country it originated in
 Author of Beowulf
 Author of Beowulf translation
Epic Poem
 Definition of an epic
 Definition of a convention in a literary genre
 8 epic conventions described in class
 Examples of epic conventions in Beowulf (use your study guides!)
 Definition of a legendary hero > how does Beowulf exemplify the characteristics of a legendary hero?
 Characteristics of an epic hero (Beowulf GOES to fight…)
 Definition of an epic boast
 Anglo-Saxon Earthly Virtues
 Anglo-Saxon principles
o Wergild
o Commitatus
Beowulf Characters
 Hrothgar
 Beowulf
 Aeschere
 Grendel
 Grendel’s Mother
 Unferth
 Wiglaf
 The Dragon
Setting
 Geatland
 Denmark
o Heorot
Vocabulary / Identification
 elegy
 xile
 lament
 marauding
 anathema
 wassail
 heathen
 thane
 mongering
 respite
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disallowed
bane
ravening
fen
unremitting
depredations
pyre
barrow
mead
Key Themes in Beowulf: What lessons do they teach us? How are they presented in the story?
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Importance of Identity, Family, and Tribe:
Fame & Pride:
Tensions Between Value Systems: Heroic Code, Paganism, and Christianity:
Roles within Society: a Good Warrior and a Good King