Study Questions

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For Thurs., WK 1

Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English Church and People

"The Conversion of King Edwin"

  1. What sort of evidence does bede present in his narratives? (visual? report? written, other?)
  2. What rhetorical strategies does Bede use in his tale of the conversion of King Edwin that prove Christianity is better than paganism?
  3. What is the significance of the sparrow in the meadhall analogy?

"Caedmon's Hymn "

  1. What makes Caedmon's hymn so miraculous?
  2. What is the larger significance of this story for the English nation?

The Cotton Maxims

  1. Which maxims do you think still have relevance today and why?

Concepts to Know

For Tues., WK 2

"The Wanderer"

  1. Critics have noted different voices speaking in this poem. There seem to be shifts between first person and third person points of view. Who are the speakers (describe to the best of your ability judging by clues in the poem)? When does the speaker shift? (Think in terms of line numbers.)
  2. What are the circumstances in which we find the Wanderer at the start of the poem and how did he get into them?
  3. What aspects of the poem are indicative of Anglo-Saxon societal values ?
  4. Thinking about The Cotton Maxims, do you see anything in this poem that looks like gnomic wisdom?

"The Wife's Lament "

  1. Who is the speaker of this poem (describe to the best of your ability judging by clues in the poem)?
  2. What are the circumstances in which we find the speaker at the start of the poem and how did s/he get into them?
  3. What aspects of the poem are indicative of Anglo-Saxon societal values ?
  4. Looking at lines 26-40, consider the speaker's circumstances. Some critics have argued that the speaker is dead. What do you think and why?
  5. Thinking about The Cotton Maxims, do you see anything in this poem that looks like gnomic wisdom?

Concepts to Know

For Thurs., WK 2

Beowulf (section 1)

  1. Why do the Danes need assistance from outside their community at the start of the poem?
  2. How would you characterize Grendel, and what is your evidence to support this characterization (point to line numbers)?
  3. What relationship exists between Beowulf's people, the Geats, and Hrothgar's people, the Danes, at the start of the poem?
  4. Judging by the things that we learn first about the Geatish hero, what does the poet see as Beowulf's most important personal characteristics?
  5. How would you characterize Beowulf, and what is your evidence to support this characterization (point to line numbers)?
  6. What causes Grendel to attack the Danes? From his point of view, is he justified in attacking? How about from the Danes' p.o.v.?
  7. What tactics does Beowulf employ to defeat Grendel?
  8. Unferth may be seen as a foil to Beowulf. How do the two men compare? What's your evidence?
  9. Why do you suppose the poet digresses to tell the tale of Beowulf's swimming contest with Breca? What does it show us about Beowulf?

For Tues., WK 3

Beowulf (section 2 to end)

  1. Why does Grendel's mother attack Heorot? Is she justified in her actions if we judge by Anglo-Saxon societal values?
  2. In what ways are Grendel's mother and Hrothgar similar? In what ways are Beowulf and the dragon similar? How about Hrothgar and Beowulf (at the end of the poem)?
  3. How does the story of the swimming contest with Breca prepare to the audience to better understand Beowulf's quest to kill Grendel's mother?
  4. Why does the dragon attack the Geats? Is it justified in its actions (cite some evidence--societal values, Cotton Maxims, other--to support your argument)?
  5. How does the story of Sigemund and the serpent prepare the audience to better understand Beowulf's fight with the dragon?
  6. Thinking about the Cotton Maxims, which maxims do you think apply to each of the following: Grendel's mother, Beowulf, Hrothgar, and the dragon? Why?
  7. Wiglaf can be considered a foil for Beowulf. How do the two men compare?
  8. Are there any good reasons for Beowulf not to fight the dragon?
  9. Is the ending of the poem a suggestion that Beowulf has been too eager to build his reputation and not cautious enough?

Concepts to Know

For Thurs., WK 3

"Judith"

  1. In Beowulf, Grendel's mother seems to control what might be called an "anti-hall," the antithesis of the warrior culture found at Heorot. In "Judith," what characteristics make the court of Holofernes and the Assyrians an "anti-court" that represents social discord and is antithetical to the heroic ideals shown in Beowulf?
  2. What adjectives and phrases used to describe Judith make her appear to be a weak woman? What adjectives and phrases make her seem like a brave, calculating leader? What adjectives or phrases used to describe Holofernes and/or the Assyrians make them seem evil or threatening?
  3. "Judith," as a biblical story, is written from a pro-Hebrew (Judeo-Christian) perspective. How does this perspective influence the descriptions of the characters? How does it influence the portrayal of the battle between the Hebrews and the Assyrians?
  4. Why do you think scholars have suggested that conflict between the conquering Assyrians and the conquered Hebrews in "Judith" might mirror the situation existing between the pagan Danes and the Christian Anglo-Saxons?

For Tues., WK 4

Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain

  1. How would you characterize Merlin and his abilities? What is your evidence for thinking this?
  2. What is the role of uncontrolled desire in Geoffrey's chronicle?
  3. How is Arthur conceived?
  4. In what ways do you think the circumstances of his conception might prove significant in later years when he is king? (Take a guess here.)
  5. Under what circumstances does Arthur become king (what precipitates the event and how is his nomination decided)? How old is he when this happens?
  6. What impression does Geoffrey give of the court of King Arthur?
  7. What does Geoffrey seem to think of Arthur as a ruler and how do you know?

For Thurs., WK 6

Marie de France, Bisclavret (The Werewolf)

  1. How does the king in Bisclavret compare to King Arthur as described in Lanval?
  2. What is the relationship between the main character and the king in Bisclavret and how does that compare to Lanval's relationship to his king?
  3. What does Bisclavret tell us about what it means to be human? How is humanity defined? Which characters act in a civilized, courtly manner? Which expose the beastly side of their nature?
  4. What is the significance of clothing to Bisclavret?
  5. What role is played by the wife's sexuality in Bisclavret? Is this role similar to that of the role played by the fairy woman's sexuality in Lanval?
  6. Why does Bisclavret hesitate to return to human form? What does this suggest about what he might have learned from his experience?
  7. What is the three-stage punishment that the wife receives for her treachery? Why is it only her female progeny who will suffer long-term effects?
  8. In Lanval we saw a powerful female character get the best of the male authority system and powerful female figure who abused her power by manipulating her husband. The men, while holding authority at court, seem to have little power to shape events in the lai. In Bisclavret a husband becomes the victim of his unfaithful wife and the "happy ending" involves the restoration of the husband to human form and the punishment of the wife. What does this somewhat ambiguous treatment of the power relationships between men and women suggest about Marie's attitude towards love? towards marriage?
  9. How, if at all, is Bisclavret influenced by the Rules of Courtly Love? Does it employ, comment on, satirize, or respond to any of the rules? If so, which ones?

Concepts to Know

For Tues., WK 9 --Responses will be turned in as a take-home quiz grade

Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur

Caxton's Prologue

  1. When the printer Caxton is asked by gentlemen to publish a story of Arthur, his initial response is that there is no Arthur. What evidence do the gentlemen cite to convince him that he is wrong, and that Arthur really did exist?
  2. What does Caxton claim is his "entente' (i.e. intent) in printing his copy of Malory's work?
  3. Why does Caxton add that readers are "at their liberty" to believe that all is true in the work? What does this suggest about Caxton's belief in the truth he's published?

"The Poisoned Apple"

  1. When Lancelot returns to Camelot from his quest for the Holy Grail, what starts rumors at court?
  2. Why does Lancelot start to champion many ladies?
  3. How does Guinevere react when she learns that Lancelot is championing other women and is her reaction rational?
  4. Why does Guinevere sponsor a dinner for the knights?
  5. Specifically, what happens at the dinner that casts doubt on the queen's motives and character?
  6. Why are the knights so willing to believe in Guinevere's guilt?
  7. Specifically, what does the trial by combat prove?

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