Old English Literature Trivia Quiz

Answer: All of These

The Roman legions withdrew in the 5th century in order to protect Rome, which opened up the island to invasion by the Germanic tribes (the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes). In the 9th century, the Danes invaded.

Answer: King Arthur

Arthur has his roots both in history and in Celtic mythology. A rich literature grew up around the hero, in both English and French. Some scholars speculate that the Germanic tribes were originally hired as mercenaries by the Romans.

Answer: The island became largely Christian

Christianity was practiced early on in the remote corners of Britannia, but only after St. Augustine was sent to convert King Ethelbert of Kent did the religion become widespread. In the words of the Norton Anthology, Volume One, "[b]efore Christianity, there had been no books." The monks, as copyists, served to promote and preserve literature.

Answer: Venerable Bede's

This work was written in the Old English period, but was penned in Latin. It was finished in about 731 AD.

Answer: The Battle of Maldon

The heroic poem recounts a defensive battle against the raiders, which occurred in 991. The English were defeated, but the poem does not tell the readers that.

Answer: King Alfred

Alfred also had the claim to fame of temporarily uniting several of the kingdoms in England and stopping the Danish invasion.

Answer: Caedmon

"Caedmon's Hymn" is one of the earliest examples of Old English writing.

Answer: Christian

The heroic poem no doubt had pagan origins, and was probably passed down orally. But in its final form, it has likely been written by a Christian monk/copyist, because it makes references to the "Lord of Life," "The Ruler of Heaven," "The Almighty," and "Cain and Abel."

Answer: Jesus Christ

The poem recounts a dream the narrator has about Christ's cross. "Rood" is an old English word for cross.

Answer: Triumph-tree

In "The Dream of the Rood," the word "triumph-tree" is used to refer to Christ's cross. A kenning replaces a single word with a compound word, often linked by a hyphen. A kenning used for God's thoughts in "Caedmon's Hymn" is "mind-plans," and a kenning used for the sea in "Beowulf" is "whale-road."

Answer: Caedmon's Hymn

This is translated from the Old English poem which praises God. The Old English language has a Germanic sound and, unlike Middle English, cannot be deciphered by a modern English reader without translation.

Answer: The Dream of the Rood

This quote is a wonderful example of the primary poetic device used in Old English poetry: alliteration. It also contains a wonderful kenning ("triumph-tree").

Answer: Beowulf

This is the oldest long poem written in English, and was written sometime between the 8th and 10th century A.D.

Answer: The Battle of Maldon

Birthnoth was the leader of the English defense forces who unsuccessfully resisted the Scandinavian invaders.

Answer: Blood-price

In the culture of the Danes and Geats, if someone killed a kinsman, he had to be killed in turn, or he could pay a "wergild" as compensation to the family.

Answer: A warrior

The lord and his thane had a special relationship that incorporated respect, unity, and reward.

Answer: The Canterbury Tales

"The Canterbury Tales," by Chaucer, was written in Middle English in the 14th century.

Answer: The Wanderer

"The Wanderer" is written in the elegiac mood. The date of authorship is uncertain.

Answer: Alliteration

Old English poetry rarely rhymes. Kennings are employed, but this is not the primary literary device. According to the Norton Anthology, Volume One, "The organizing device of the line is alliteration . . . The Old English alliterative line contains, on the average, four principle stresses and is divided into two half-lines."

Answer: The Wanderer

The poem is a lament. The main character has lost his lord and his brothers in arms. His mead hall has been destroyed.