An Epic Fail of a Quiz

"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." Let's revisit yesterday's quiz.

Short answer (12points)

1.     “Whale-road” is an example of a: 

Kenning 

ex. "sky-borne foe" - 2528

2.     A term describing an ironic understatement:

Litote 

3.     What are two examples of epithets from the epic poem?

"the terror-monger" - line 2137

"overseer of men" - line 2527

4.     What is a euphemism?

Ex. for death - "in a place beyond" - line 2590

A poetic way (or nice way) of saying something impolite (or bad). 

5.     What is alliteration?

A repetition of the beginning sounds of words - usually consonants. 

6.     What is caesura in the epic poem?

A pause or break in the middle of line, usually indicated with punctuation. 

II. Short essay (5points): What makes Beowulf an Epic Hero? Make at least three points.

Characteristics of the Epic Hero:

·               Larger-than-life leader or warrior

·               Strongly identified with a particular people or society

·               Performs great deeds in battle or undertakes extraordinary journey

·               Sometimes possesses supernatural ability or has gods or other supernatural beings to help him or her

·               Sometimes of noble birth (aristocrat or royalty)

·               Possesses a sense of honor or code of ethics that rule his/her destiny

·               Shows loyalty to his people

·               Has various motivations (personal quest, revenge, helping people, glory)

·               Almost always wins battles, but one monster may be his or her downfall

·               May receive help from friends or guides, sometimes has a “sidekick”

Examples:  Odysseus, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, King Arthur, Batman, Luke Skywalker

Joseph Cambell's Hero's Journey:

Or is it?

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it."

W. C. Fields