Beowulf and Old English Poetry Concepts

Dr. Newman introduces oral formulaic poetry and alliterative verse, focusing on Beowulf's language and structure. The video explores why stories were told in poetry, emphasizing memory and oral tradition. It discusses oral literature, kennings, and nomic statements in Beowulf, concluding with a summary of key features.

What is the primary focus of Dr. Newman's lecture?

• The life of Beowulf

• Modern poetry techniques

• Oral formulaic poetry and alliterative verse

• The history of English literature

In Beowulf, who are the retainers?

• Enemies of Beowulf

• Men who follow and serve Beowulf

• Grendel's allies

• Beowulf's family members

What is the structure of Old English poetry?

• Rhyming couplets

• Haiku

• Free verse

• Alliterative line

What links the first and second half of an Old English poem line?

• Imagery

• Alliteration

• Rhyme

• Meter

Why were stories often told in poetry?

• To entertain the audience

• For easier memorization

• To make them longer

• To confuse listeners

Which culture is NOT mentioned as having an oral tradition?

• Chinese

• Greek

• African

• Indian

What makes Beowulf a transitional text?

• It was only sung

• It was never written down

• It bridges oral and written literature

• It was written in multiple languages

What are kennings?

• Single syllables

• Compound expressions

• Complex sentences

• Simple words

What is a nomic statement?

• A simple truth or observation

• A fictional story

• A complex metaphor

• A historical fact

What is the purpose of nomic statements in Beowulf?

• To confuse the reader

• To serve as discourse markers

• To lengthen the poem

• To introduce new characters