1. Literature Unit One, Parts 1 & 2
English 12 Test Review
Literature Unit One, Parts 1 & 2

2. “from Beowulf” – Important Characters
Hrothgar – King of the Danes
Beowulf – Geat hero who has battled monsters and giants prior to coming to Hrothgar’s aid.
Grendel – Monster born of evil created when Abel slew Cain. Hates the singing and celebration that issues from Herot, so he attacks Herot, slaying men in their sleep each night.

3. “from Beowulf” – Important Characters
Grendel’s mother – referred to a “greedy she-wolf”; Comes to Herot for revenge after Grendel’s death; Kill’s Hrothgar’s best friend and is slain by Beowulf at the bottom of the lake.

4. “from Beowulf” Important Plot Points
Grendel attacks Herot out of anger over the singing and rejoicing.
Beowulf learn of the Danes’ plight and comes with many strong Geats to offer aid.
Beowulf regarded with suspicion by Danish watchmen.

5. “from Beowulf” Important Plot Points
Beowulf stays awake, enabling him to fight and defeat Grendel without the use of weapons.
Grendel flees Herot to die & Danes celebrate joyfully.
Grendel’s mother seeks revenge.
Beowulf pursues Grendel’s mother and defeats her at the bottom of the lake.

6. “from Beowulf” Important Plot Points
Beowulf chops off Grendel’s head to prove his strength.
Hrothgar and his men watch the lake hopelessly and are amazed when Beowulf returns victorious.

7. “from Beowulf” Important Quotes
“Fate will unwind as it must!”
“This was a different Herot than the hall he had emptied”

8. “from Beowulf” Vocabulary
Forged
Lament
Shroud
Writhing

9. “A Brief History of Heroes”
Article from Time Magazine which details how each historical era has defined “heroes” differently

10. “A Brief History of Heroes”
Renaissance hero - A manly man who excelled at warfare, scholarship, government, and the art of love
Romantic hero - A person who explored the arts and love as a way to celebrate inner emotions and individual creativity
19th Century Hero - The earnest, middle-class man who did his duty

11. “A Brief History of Heroes”
Virginia Woolf rejected the idea that only men could be heroes.
George Orwell expressed appreciation for the 19th century hero in his argument that a hero possesses “a moral quality which must be vaguely described as decency”
According to the article, in modern society, the perception of ideal heroes is threatened by mass media’s concentration on the personal lives of heroes.

12. “A Brief History of Heroes”
According to the article, in modern society, the perception of ideal heroes is threatened by mass media’s concentration on the personal lives of heroes.
Adolf Hitler’s militarism led people to no longer associate military achievements with heroism.

13. The Canterbury Tales: Prologue
Solicitous
Estimable
Discreet
Disdainful
Prevaricate
Be familiar with the characteristics of each Pilgrim and the purpose of the pilgrimage. Use your notes!!!!

14. The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner’s Tale
Adversary
Prudent
Deftly
Gratified

15. The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner’s Tale
Three rioters come across an old man whom they believe to be a spy for Death.
The old man directs them to Death. When they arrive at the indicated location, all they find is gold.
The two eldest rioters send the youngest to town for bread and wine, and plan to kill him upon his return and to keep the money.

16. The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner’s Tale
The youngest rioter visits an apothecary and buys poison, which he puts into the wine.
The eldest rioters kill the youngest. Afterwards, they drink the poisoned wine and are also killed.
The tale teaches a moral lesson about the danger or greed.

17. The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath’s Tale
Reproved
Conceded
Dispersed
Arrogance
Sufficient

18. The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath’s Tale
The tale expresses the author’s view of women as powerful and intelligent.
According to the wife of bath, Christian friars have driven away all elves and fairies
The old woman tells the knight that women desire power over their husbands.

19. The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath’s Tale
To save himself, the knight must marry an old and ugly woman who tells him that true gentility comes only from God.
When the knight says, “My lady and my love, my dearest wife,/I leave the matter to your wise decision,” he gives the old lady what she most desires, so she rewards him by becoming young, beautiful, and faithful.

20. Additional Notes on the Exam
The test contains 60 questions.
59 questions are multiple choice
The final question is a short answer question that requires some analysis.
This review is not exhaustive. You are accountable for all information discussed in class during our readings of the various selections.