1) Which of the following would most likely be the theme of a medieval romance ? a. The story of an English village’s conversion to Christianity b. A first-person story of the Norman invasion c. The adventure of a knight who rescues a maiden d. A poem that features courtly love but denounces supernaturalism
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2) How was mystical literature significant ? a. Mystical literature suggested the continued link between paganism and Christianity. b. Mystical literature prohibited women from writing in the voice of God. c. Mystical literature ended the trend of poems in which God was cast as a lover. d. Mystical literature provided a place for women to write romantic and religious literature.
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3) Despite the fact that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle continued well into the Norman rule of the 12th century, which king originally commissioned this work ? a. King Harold b. King Arthur c. William the Conqueror d. Alfred the Great
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4) Which of the following is not a theme in Chretien de Troyes Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion ? a. The relationships between knights and ladies b. The feudal system c. The knight’s lack of loyalty to his lord d. The conduct of wars and tournaments
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5) Which of the following best describes the significance of the following line from Julian of Norwich’s “Revelations of Divine Love”: “all manner of things shall be well” ? a. The world is a happy and wonderful place. b. We can make the world better if we work hard. c. There are many things in the world to love. d. The love and grace of God can change lives for the better.
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6) The adventure of another lay/Just as it happened, I’ll relay ? a. The line has obvious rhyme and meter, and the opening words suggest a story of adventure and excitement. b. The strong alliteration creates rhythm that accentuates the adventurous spirit. c. The line seems to frame a story with plot complications. d. The line alludes to a poem with religious undertones.
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7) What is the significance of the “Green Knight” ? a. He suggests the lack of knightly themes in Middle English poetry. b. He alludes to an ancient Anglo-Saxon ruler. c. He represents the link with Celtic mythology. d. He suggests a continued tie with paganism.
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8) Which of the following is the best example of a morality play ? a. “The Seafarer” b. “Everyman” c. “The Second Shepherds’ Play” d. “The Dream of the Rood”
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9) How did the Normans revolutionize English poetry ? a. They introduced alliterative verse. b. They introduced rhyming octosyllabic couplets. c. They introduced iambic pentameter. d. They introduced metaphor.
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10) How did the interaction between the English and the Bretons affect literature ? a. The exposure to new forms ended the production of lais. b. This interaction led to the influence of Arthurian legend on French literature. c. This interaction led to more stories about the English conversion to Christianity. d. The cultural exchange led to more stories about ancient myths.
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11) Which of the following is not an example of a lai ? a. Sir Launfal b. Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath c. Chaucer’s Franklin’s Tale d. Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love
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12) What distinguishes morality plays from mystery plays ? a. Mystery plays involve Christian themes, whereas morality plays do not. b. Morality plays involve Christian themes, whereas mystery plays do not. c. Morality plays were written individually, whereas mystery plays are in cycles. d. Mystery plays were written individually, whereas morality plays are in cycles.
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13) What led to the alliterative revival ? a. A return to reading poetry from the 11th and 12th centuries b. The influence of southern courtly poets writing in French and Latin c. A surge in English nationalism d. The introduction to new poetic forms during the Norman invasion
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14) How do the themes of Marie de France’s Lanval and Chretien de Troyes Yvain compare ? a. Both use the comitatus ethic to explain their hero’s motivations. b. Both include references toWilliam the Conqueror. c. Both include the theme of broken promises between lovers. d. Both feature mentions of the conversion from paganism.
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15) In Acrene Wisse, what is the author’s advice regarding priests ? a. Priests should be used as examples of ecclesiastical life. b. Priests should be avoided, because men are bad influences. c. Priests should offer anchoresses their only connection to the outside world. d. Priests should be honored, because men are naturally more spiritual.
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16) Pride in one’s accomplishments was important to the Anglo-Saxon thegn. If so, why does Hrothgar say in Beowulf: do not give way to pride ? a. Hrothgar believes it is important to stay focused on revenge. b. Pride is one of the deadly sins. c. Pride causes one to appear immodest. d. Extreme pride can cause one to be overly secure and make mistakes.
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17) Why is the concept of feudalism important in medieval literature ? a. Feudalism represents the world ofscholars who studied the ancient texts of the past. b. The feudal world is one of glamor and beauty. c. Feudalism represents an economic hierarchy, the upper levels of which created and consumed literature. d. Feudalism represents interesting family quarrels that make for good stories.
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18) Which of the following most accurately explains the Bretons influence on medieval literature ? a. The Bretons roots were in the Celtic cultural tradition. b. Breton literature had a profound effect on medieval literature in England. c. The Bretons represented prominent forces in the Norman invasion. d. All of these answers
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19) Which genre is based on interactions between three feudal classes ? a. Dream poetry b. Romance c. Lai d. Estates satire
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20) Between which movements do historians situate literature in the Middle Ages ? a. English Reformation and Elizabethan Age b. Civil war and the Restoration c. Roman departure and the Renaissance d. Romanticism and the Enlightenment
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