Văn học anh mỹ đề 3 EN16

HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY MID -TERM TEST ON ENGLISH AND AMERICAN
LITERATURE
Full name: LE THI LUU
Date of birth: 31/08/2001 FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH (No 3)
Group: FHCT518 Subject Code: EN16

I. Answer the following questions.

Question1. What do you know about the contents of “The Song of Beowulf”?

Beowulf is the title of a Middle English epic consisting of 3,182 lines of long
alliterative poetry set in Scandinavia. It is considered the oldest surviving epic
poem of the Old English language and is therefore often cited as one of the most
important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf can also be considered a
literary work. Earliest native English.
Legend has it that since ancient times, there was a race that sealed the entrance to a
treasure called Revenants, which was guarded by a dragon. This is also the burial
place of a great king, who is also the founder of that treasure, Beowulf. The royal
palace of Heorot of Danner is often haunted by demons, causing many people to
die without their bodies or go missing at dawn. King Hrothgar was in dire straits,
so he sent messengers everywhere to pray for salvation from good people. A long
time later, Beowulf of Getas volunteered to go to Danner to help King Hrothgar
exorcise demons.
According to Hrothgar, the monster Grendel is a descendant of Kain in the Bible. It
often takes advantage of the night to wait for Heorot to fall asleep before killing
him. Hrothgar then showed how to hold a banquet from morning until night, then
everyone pretended to sleep while still holding their swords and lying down. When
Grendel rushed in, they all recognized him through the strong smell, and then
Beowulf pulled out his sword and cut off one of his arms. Grendel was angry and
ran away to the cave. Grendel jumped into a deep lagoon in the forest. Under the

lagoon, there was a deep cave that had been its home since ancient times. But
Grendel hemorrhaged and died, and Mother Grendel went out to take revenge.
Initially, Mother Grendel assassinated Hrothgar's most outstanding subordinate,
Scheer. The king then mobilized Beowulf and his soldiers to chase Mother Grendel
to the last cave. The knight Unferth gives Beowulf the sword Haunting and
challenges him to fight Mother Grendel. Beowulf then took his precious sword and
dived into the lagoon. Fighting forever, Mother Grendel was finally beheaded by
Beowulf. Beowulf triumphs and is given the sword Niggling by King Hrothgar.
Beowulf returns home and is elected king. He put all the wealth he captured in
Grendel's cave into the Revenant's treasury at the foot of a great mountain, guarded
by a dragon. Fifty years later, a slave secretly stole a cup of gold and was
discovered by the dragon. The dragon was angry and flew away to burn
everywhere to recover its wealth. Beowulf then went with the warrior Wiglaf to
fight the dragon. After eliminating the dragon, Beowulf was exhausted from
serious injuries and passed away. Wiglaf ordered someone to take King Beowulf to
the heart of the mountain to bury him. King Beowulf is angry; the country is no
longer formidable. Not long after, Getas was plundered by surrounding barbarians,
leading to its destruction, and leaving the treasure's secret forever buried
underground.

Question 2. What is the historical background of the Anglo-Norman period?

The historical background of the Anglo-Norman period dates to the 11th century
and is characterized by the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Normans
were originally Scandinavian settlers who had settled in the region of Normandy,
in modern-day France. Under the leadership of William, the Conqueror (William
I), Duke of Normandy, they invaded England, defeating King Harold II of England
at the Battle of Hastings.
With the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Norman period began, which saw
significant changes in England’s political, social, and cultural landscape. The

Normans brought their language (Norman French), customs, and feudal system,
which gradually merged with the existing Anglo–Saxon culture.
The Normans replaced the Anglo–Saxon nobility with their supporters, establishing
a new ruling class. They also introduced the feudal system, which emphasized
loyalty and military service in exchange for land and protection.
Norman French became the language of the aristocracy and the legal system, while
Latin continued to be the language of the Church and education. Over time, the
interaction between Norman French, Latin, and Old English resulted in the
development of Middle English, the precursor to modern English.
The Anglo-Norman period witnessed the construction of impressive castles,
cathedrals, and other architectural wonders, which reflected the Norman influence
on England’s cultural and artistic heritage.
The Anglo-Norman period came to an end with the death of King Richard the
Lionheart in 1199. His successor, King John, faced challenges and eventually
signed the Magna Carta in 1215, a significant step in the evolution of English
constitutional law and the limitation of royal powers. The Magna Carta marked a
turning point in the transition to a more centralized English monarchy and the
eventual decline of Norman's influence in England.

II. Comments

What are your comments on the first masterpiece of English literature- “The Song
of Beowulf”?

“The Song of Beowulf”, commonly known as “Beowulf”, is indeed a remarkable
and enduring masterpiece of English literature. As the first major work written in
the English language, it holds a significant place in the literary canon and cultural
heritage of the English–speaking world. Here are some comments on the enduring
significance of “Beowulf”:

Pioneering work:” Beowulf” is a pioneering work that laid the foundation for
English literature. It marks the transition from oral storytelling to written literary

expression. The poem was passed down through generations as an oral tradition
before being transcribed in its written form, making it a bridge between the Anglo-
Saxon oral tradition and the written literature that followed.
Heroic Epic:” Beowulf” belongs to the heroic epic tradition, celebrating the valor,
bravery, and heroic deeds of its protagonist, Beowulf. The poem captures the ethos
of the heroic age, portraying the values and ideals upheld by the warrior society of
early medieval England.
Timeless Themes: The themes explored in “Beowulf” continue to resonate with
readers across generations. The themes of heroism, loyalty, honor, the struggle
between good and evil, and the inevitability of mortality are timeless and universal,
making the poem relatable and relevant to contemporary audiences.
Characterization: the characters in “Beowulf” are vividly portrayed, with Beowulf
himself embodying the quintessential heroic figure. The poem delves into the
psychology and motivations of the characters, creating a nuanced and multi–
dimensional cast.