12A Exam Review
M. Mordica Fall
2013-2014
*No Summer Reading on exam
I.
Anglo-Saxon
A. History
1. paganism, Druids,
2. leader-follower allegiance
3. Mead Hall significance
4. Scops, druids, Julius Caesar
5. Christian Monasteries & Monastic propaganda
B. Literature
1. Beowulf main events, Unferth, Brecca, Wiglaf, major battles, biblical allusion
2. the epic hero, idea of heroism in original epic, heroic boast, the challenge of the hero
3. The Seafarer, Wanderer, Wife’s Lament Elegy, qualities…main idea/tone of the verse,
ubi sunt motif: review notes
4. Characteristics of A-S poetry alliteration, no end rhyme, wyrd, imagery
*reading passages
C. John Gardner’s Grendel
1. Philosophies
2. Idea of Grendel as a modern monster vs epic monster
3. Characters: Shaper,Dragon, Unferth, Grendel, Hrothgar, Wealtheow,
4. Basic Storyline/organizational pattern, zodiac connection
5. Idea of heroism in this novel vs original tale (Hrothgar as hero and villain, monster as
hero and monster; Beowulf as monster and hero)
6. “The Myth of Sisyphus” *be familiar with connection to Grendel and basic premise of
essay
*reading passages
II.
The Middle Ages
A. Literature
1. Becket* know his significant connection to literature and history
2. Frame Literature
a. The Canterbury Tales
1. Heroic couplets
2. Iambic pentameter
b. The Decameron
c. Gawain and the Green Knight
3. Morality Play
a. Everyman
4. Motifs: chivalry, allegory, symbolism (numbers, colors) religious themes, supernatural,
B. Humanities (See notes)
1. History
a. The Norman Invasion: the Bayeux Tapestry
2. Art
a. The Garden of Earthly Delights
3. Music
4. Architecture (from notes)