Beowulf historic background Exercise Comprehension check

Beowulf historic background

Exercise 1. Comprehension check

1. 
   After the Romans left Britain the Celts formed an effective government on their own-False
   
2. 
   The Anglo-Saxons were just one people-False
   
3. 
   Celtic culture survived in some parts of Britain-False
   
4. 
   Augistine , the first Archbishop of Canterbury, was sent to England by Pope Grigory-True
   
5. 
   When Christianity was introduced into England, pagan ways disappeared immediately-False
   
6. 
   Alfred the Great was the only king who managed to resist the Danes-True
   
7. 
   A Dane was king of England for a short time-false
   
8. 
   The Normans, who conquered England in 1066, were also Anglo-Saxons-False
   

THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND

Exercise 1. Make notes about Beowulf

1. 
   Three reasons why it is famous ?
   

a.It is the longest surviving poem in Old English

b.The first important example of poetry in European

c.The only complete example of Germanic folk epic that exists

2. 
   When it was composed
   

a.A few types of Beowulf dates back to sixth century.

b.The version that we have probably composed between 700 and 750

3.Why it wasn’t written down at first

a.Because of not having the author

b.It was first told orally and passed on from poet to poet over a long time

4. when it was written down

a. the Anglo-Saxon poet- called Scop gave oral performance and sang them on a special occasions

b. the first version written about 1000

5.Name of the poet

a.Anglo-Saxon

3. 
   Where the events are set
   

a.In Southern Scandinavia

4. 
   Main values found in the poem
   

a.loyalty to chief , tribe and revenge on enemies

5. 
   Most important element of style
   

a.Using alliteration that the sounds of consanants especially at the beginning of word

6. 
   Where the manuscript is kept now
   

a.British Museum in London

ANGLO-SAXON WARRIORS AND WEAPONS

Exercise 1.

1. 
   Spear
   
2. 
   Axe
   

B-Shield

3. 
   Hilt
   
4. 
   Armour
   
5. 
   Helmet
   
6. 
   Sword
   
7. 
   Knife