WEEK 1

1. Which languages does English mostly Consists?

English Language mostly consists of Latin, French, Greek, German and others
2. What is the name of the first tribe who settle in Britain? When did they settle?
Britain was first settled by Celts. They came from continental Europe between 800-
600 BC. Britons were settled in what is now Great Britain and Gaels settled in what
is now Ireland.
3. What was the earliest form of literature? (explain)
Poem. Because it is short and easy to remember.
4. What were the old English poem about?
Old poem is more about heroism, good deeds, and heroics values
5. When was the Christianity brought to Britain? Who brought it?
Christianity was brought to Britain by S.t Augustine. He came and started to convert
people to Christianity in 6th century.
6. Who is an Epic hero? (Definition of epic hero)
An Epic hero is the central figure who reflects the values and heroic ideals of a
particular society
7. What is kenning? Give an example.
A kenning is a figurative expression that replaces a name or a noun. Often it is a
compound of two words and the words are hyphenated.
Bone-house= body, gold-friend of men= Generous prince, ring-giver= lord, flashing-light=
Sword
8. Why is number 3 important in Beowulf?
There are 3 battles, 3 monsters and 3 funerals in the Beowulf thats why it is
important.
9. Write 5 qualities that Beowulf presents?
Courageous, Generous, Strong, Cunning, Fearless, Selfless, Wise, Moral, Good
10. Who is the model for Beowulf in the poem? Why?
Hrothgar. Because he was like a father to him and he gives advice. He is a father figure
and a model King to Beowulf.
Week 2
1. When the William the Conqueror conquered England? Who did he defeated?
In 1066, the Duke of Normandy, the famous William, henceforth called "the
Conqueror", sailed across the British Channel. He challenged King Harold of England
in the struggle for the English throne. After winning the Battle of Hastings where he
defeated Harold, William was crowned King of England.
2. Which three languages spoken in England? In which part of society were they
spoken?
Latin, French, and English. French was spoken by Literary and Court, Latin was the
language of Church and legal documents and English was the language of common
people.
3. How did the Feudal era effect the society?
Major impact on England was form and manner. Form is Knighthood. The institution
of Knighthood was based on the idea of loyalty. At the first time in history we have
Knighthood in Feudal Era. Second important impact is manner. Manner is Code of
Chivalry and Courtly love. Fair Play, Nobility, Valor, Honor, Courtesy, Loyalty.
4. What is Courtly love?
Courtly Love was an aspect of Chivalry that encouraged nobles and Knights to
improve themselves by adoring to a particular lady. A Knight seldom adored his
wife. The adored lady remained pure and out of Knights reach. He serves and
entertains her and give her gifts.
5. What are the consequences of Black Death?
- 1 out of 3 people died (This was about 20-25 Million people)
- Almost 75 million are estimated to have died worldwide.
- There were so many dead bodies in the cities, that many people threw there dead
bodies out in the street.
- Merchants died causing to significantly decline and in turn raised prices.
- Workers and employers also died, production declined, prices continued to rise.
- The Jewish population was blamed for the plague and in some cases they were
slaughtered because of it.
- Churchs power was significantly weakened.
- As a consequence the importance of the working classes of artisans and craftsmen
was greatly enhanced
6. What are the features of characters in Middle English Literature?
We have Kings and Nobles who served the king, These Nobles have protection of
military service. After the Nobles there are Knights, Peasants. In this era we have the
term Loyalty. Loyal to the king, Loyal to the Nobles, to the Knights. Everyone should
be loyal to the upper class. We have 4 layer in Feudal era but after Hundred Years
Wars it changed.
7. What are the literary terms used in Middle English literature? Explain.
Alliterative Verse: the repetition of the same sounds
Kennings: Compound metaphor (usually two words) Example: Bone-house= body,
gold-friend of men= Generous prince, ring-giver= lord, flashing-light= Sword
Hyperbole: Exaggeration (like Beowulf killed Grendel with bare hands)
8. Which one of this popular among readers? Work of old English Literature or Middle
English Literature. Why?
Work of Middle English Literature. Because the writers of Middle English addressed
to a wider range of people. A modern reader experiences little trouble in
understanding the World of Middle English literature.

9. What are the mystery plays about?

Mystery plays: Taken from the bible. Each play had four or five different scenes or
acts. The priest and monks were actors. Each scene or act was performed at a
different place in town and people moved from one stage to the next o watch the
play.
- The Second Shepherds Play (1385)
10. Write 3 examples of the famous work in Middle English Literature?
Geoffrey Chauser, Canterbury Tales, William Langland, Piers the ploughman, Sir
Gawain and The Green Knight, Sir Thomas Mallory Le Morte Darthur, Everyman

Week 3
1. What did Chauser do apart from being a writer?
He had two careers: a writer and important government official.
2. Why is he considered as the Father of English Language?
Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English literature because he was the first
to write what became generally well-known and recognized poems and stories
in the language of the common people of his time - medieval English. Until that
time, the language of the educated and of written literature in England was Latin
or French
3. How many characters are there in the Canterbury Tales? How many stories they
were supposed to tell?
There are 29 Characters. Tell 2 stories on the way to Canterbury and two more
stories on the way back to pass time, for it was a long journey.
4. Write about the story telling contest?
They met at Tabard Inn where the poet was staying. The story teller was
suggested by the Host of Tabard Inn and he acted as a referee to choose the best
teller. Teller of the best tale was awarded at the end. A dinner provided by his
fellow pilgrims of the Tabard. Anyone who rebelled against his ruling was to pay
all their travelling expenses.
5. Write ten names of the characters of the story?
Knight
Squire Cook
Yeoman Skipper
Prioress Doctor
Monk Wife of Bath
Friar Parson
Merchant Plowman
Oxford Cleric Miller
Serjeant at law Mancipte
Franklin Reeve
Guildsman Dyer, Carpenter) Sommoner
Weaver, Carpet Pardoner
6. How did Chauser portray the class structure in the Canterbury Tales?
He divided the characters into three groups; 1.Aristocrats 2.Churcmen
3.Commons
7. What is a Frame story?
A Frame Story is a literary device that binds together several different narratives.
Its a story (or stories) within a story.
8. How did Chauser portray the characters?
1. Chauser uses indirect characterisation when he tells how each character looks
and dresses.
This Yeoman wore a coat and hood of green,
2. Chauser also uses direct characterisation, when he comes right out and tells us
what a characters nature is --- Virtuous, vain, clever, and so on.
- There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry
- There was also a nun, a prioress

9. What is Fabliau?
A fabliau is a brief comic tale in verse. A humours, satirical kind of narrative.
Opposed to chivalric romance, Courtly Knight, and ideal religious churchman. It
is about The lustfulness of Knights and Corrupt member of the church.
10. What is Allegory?
Allegory is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described
in terms of characters, figures and events.
Greek otherwise
-A story in verse or prose with a double meaning
- Its origin are religious
- The best known allegory in English Language John Bunyans Pilgrims process W.
Lagans Piers the Ploughman.
- Most of the classical myth is a form of allegory and is an attempt explain facts.
- Story of Ant and Grasshopper