ENG 208- Exam 1 Study Guide
Exams are part objective, part subjective. As the exam is based on 100 points, each test is worth
10% of the course total. Expect 30-40 questions, found in the form of Matching, True-False, and
Fill-in-the Blank/Multiple Choice format, as well as one Short Written Response Prompt for each of
the authors covered in the section, of which you will respond to only one. Being able to recall
factual details relative to each of the authors studied and their written work is the basis for all
exam content.
*Late Medieval /Early Modern Period
Historical context:
feudal system, lords & courts vs. peasant farmers
State (crown & courts) vs. Church
Religious Influence:
Women subordinate- responsible for evil: Eve & “fall of humanity”
Mariolatry- adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Clerical influence for prayer, meditations, etc.
Scribes as religious writers (general population illiterate)
Pilgrimages; The Crusades; Witch-hunts
Protestants vs. Catholics
Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) A Book of Showings to the Anchoress Julian of Norwich
Recluse/Anchoress; posits God as Mother
Margery Kempe (1373-1438) The Book of Margery Kempe
Wife and mother; uses sex as currency; posits herself as Bride of Christ; travels on pilgrimages
*16th c. ~ 1485-1603 ~ late 15th c. Renaissance - end of Elizabethan Age
English Monarchy & Royal Court FULL of suspicion, conspiracy & treason
Henry VIII and his marriages, mistresses and MURDER
#1 Catherine of Aragon (Mary I’s mother)
#2 Anne Boleyn (Elizabeth’s mother)
The Reformation: Origin of Church of England (Anglicanism)
London population:
1520- 60,000
1550- 120,000
1650- 375,000
fastest growing city across Europe
English/Elizabethan Renaissance:
Ideals of Humanismallows for unleashed curiosity; dignity & potential of the individual
humans have worth of life in this world
still concerned with Christianity
supports classical learning
Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) poetry: “The Doubt of Future Foes” & “On Monsieur’s Departure”
politics: “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury”
private vs. public identity
Aemilia Lanyer (1569-1645) poetess; courtier; “To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty”
most contemporary writers received monarchial patronage
challenges gender roles and stereotypes