Beowulf Background

Who is believed to have composed "Beowulf"?

• Geoffrey Chaucer

• An unknown Anglo-Saxon poet

• William Shakespeare

• J.R.R. Tolkien

Around what year was "Beowulf" composed?

• 1066 AD

• 500 AD

• 700 AD

• 1200 AD

What is a significant theme in "Beowulf"?

• Romantic love

• The heroic code

• Political intrigue

• Economic prosperity

What cultural influence is evident in "Beowulf"?

• Roman

• Christian

• Egyptian

• Greek

What is unusual about the plot of "Beowulf"?

• It is a comedy.

• It combines a pagan story with a Christian narrator.

• It is written in prose.

• It is set in the future.

What is the role of mead-halls in "Beowulf"?

• Places for religious ceremonies

• Centers of trade

• Gathering places for warriors

• Schools for children

When did widespread interest in "Beowulf" begin?

• 12th century

• 15th century

• 19th century

• 21st century

What was the state of the "Beowulf" manuscript in the 1700s?

• Perfectly preserved

• Nearly destroyed in a fire

• Lost at sea

• Buried underground

What is a characteristic of Old English poetry?

• It is written in prose

• It uses a lot of metaphors

• It is divided into two halves by a caesura

• It is written in rhyming couplets

What is the form of Old English poetry described as?

• Informal and casual

• Highly formal

• Rhythmic and musical

• Simple and straightforward