English 251

First Examination:

The Middle Ages

Fall 2009, Dr. Robert Kibler’s class

Overview of Exam

• The exam will consist of 3 Sections

• 1. Quick identification (2 points each, 30 points total)

• 2. Passage identification (5 points each, 20 points total.)

• 3. 20 minute essay responses (25 points each, 50 points total)

Part I: Quick Identification

• Identify the date, publication, event, as called for, plus the reason why it is important to know.

• Fall of Western Rome and why important

• Comitatus and why important

• Parable of the sparrow and why important

• 800 CE, Christmas Day. What happened and why important?

• Bubonic plague year and why important

• Three Estates of Man and why important.

• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written this century and why important.

• Who used the “frame” narrative style and why important?

• Define “Litotes” and provide a working example.

• Who said “tee hee” and how important to context of story?

• Who invented the rules of Courtly Love, and why important?

• Who sent missionaries into Northern Europe and why important?

• In what century was Northern Europe considered to have ‘awakened’ and why important?

• Beowulf written, and why important?

• Who was Hygelac and why important?

Part II Passages

• For each passage, identify the work or author (1 point); the speaker (1 pt); the context (1 pt), and the value of the passage to an understanding beyond itself (2 points). Good luck.

• Now displays of deportment shall dazzle our eyes, and the polished pearls of impeccable speech; The high art of eloquence is ours to pursue, since the father of fine manners is found in our midst.

• And a young prince must be prudent like that, giving freely while his father lives, so that afterward in age when fighting starts steadfast companions will stand by him and hold the line.

• For that high-born beauty so hemmed him about, made so plain her meaning, the man must needs either take her tendered love or distastefully refuse. His courtesy concerned him, lest crass he appear.

• The leader of the troop unlocked his word-hoard; the distinguished one delivered this answer: “We belong by birth to the Geat people and owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac.”

Part III Essays

• Take about 25 minutes to think and write per essay. Organize your responses in compositional form. Be specific, and remember to extend your thoughts in conclusions. How is what you have written important for us to know? Good luck.

Question I

• We have been examining literary works this term through ‘codes’ which govern individuals, groups, and societies. For this first essay, consider the code word “Love.” How is love manifest in three different works we have read this term? What does the manifestation of love say about the worlds that produced what we have just read? How different is any one world from the others we have encountered, and in what ways? What, ultimately, are you left to say about love in the middle ages? What patterns see? What truths? Be specific. Extend your thoughts. Good luck.

Question II

• Pick four pieces of paper from the bag. Using three of those four, assemble an essay that speaks to some truth binding what is identified on those pieces together, or conversely, so some truth keeping them in relation to one another, but apart? Or perhaps two are alike in some way, and the third their opposite? Explore the possibilities. Organize your ideas, extend them, and be creative in your response. Good luck.