How to Study for and Pass Micheal Crafton’s Literature Exams

 

First of all, you should prepare for the tests by attending class, reading the material in advance, underlining passages that we discuss in class, and taking notes on everything discussed in class.  Then shortly before the exam commit everything to memory.

 

The tests are usually made of three parts: one, brief definitions and brief significance of names, dates, and terms from the background discussions in class and sometimes from the literature itself, such as character names; two, identification and interpretation of short quotations from the literature discussed in class; three, general questions on theme or form or history that require the student to state the answer in a paragraph or two.

 

Assessment of answers.  The best answer will not only identify or provide the objective reference (for example, "Q: 1517 A: This is the year that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses of protest on the church door at Wittenburg) but will also state the significance for the course material (for example, A cont'd: "The is event is significant because it symbolizes the advent of the Protestant Reformation which itself signifies the breakup of the Catholic Church's hold over all of Christian Europe. This entire sequence can be seen as indicative of the Renaissance spirit of individualism and therefore a resistance to the institutional orientation of medieval Catholicism").

  

This same principle applies to the answers on quotations. You should be able to identify the author and title of the work, but then you should write the significance in a way that is keyed to the discourse of the class.


Some Old Tests and Study Guides

2110

2120

 

Material for 2110

 

Terms and dates

Mimetic, formalistic, genetic, pragmatic

Myth

Mythos vs. logos

Archetype

Phenotype

Ancient vs. modern meanings of terms

First Writing: Sumerians 3500 BC

Cuneiform

Pictographic to phonographic

Tetragrammaton

Aleph to Alpha

Proto-Sinitic, Semitic

Phoenician

Inanna, Erishkigal, Dammutzi

The divine “me”

Arming of the hero

Stripping of the hero

Function of ritual

Purpose of descent into underworld

Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Ishtar, Humbaba, Utnapishtim

Heroic paradox

Epic

Oral-formulaic

Hubris

Akhenaten,

Aten, sun god

Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament

Anthropocentric, nonanthropocentric

Polytheism, monotheism

Documentary hypothesis

P and J text

Two versions of creation

Noah versus Utnapishtim

Homer, Homeric question

Mycenean, Dorian, Hellenic

Xenia, xenos

Alkinoos vs. Polyphemos

Tragic epic vs. comic or romance epic

Thespis

Dionysian ritual

Goat song

Hypocrites

Chorus

Arête, aristocracy

Demos, Democracy

Kakoi

“Mimesis of a Sacrifice”

Peloponnesian Wars (431-404)

Gnothi sauton

Sophrosyne

Hamartia

Reversal and recognition according to Aristotle

Catharsis

Sophoclean irony

Imagery in Oedipus

Oedipus as critique of Athens

Punic Wars

Augustus Caesar

Virgil and secondary epic

Civitas

Pietas

Aeneid as tribute to Homer and to Rome

Invocation of the Muse

Announcement of the epic theme or question

1150 BC Troy

750 BC Homer, Legendary founding of Rome

44 Julius Caesar killed

27 BC Augustus begins

476 Fall of Roman Empire

 

 

Larger considerations

Descents into the underworld or otherworld – what are they about, what different ways are there to understand these

Epic – Gil, Odyssey, Aeneid as epics

Tragedy – Oedipus as tragedy

Role of intellect in Odysseus and Oedipus

Issue of xenia in Odyssey

Balance of character in various texts

Arrogance checked in Gilgamesh and Oedipus

Flood stories

Creation or explanatory (etiological) myths

Aeneid as propaganda and Homeric epic

 

 

English 2110.01                                                Summer 2005

Instructor M. Crafton

 

Part I (five points each, 25 points total): Short identification.  Briefly, in two sentences or less, identify, define, or describe the five of the items listed below as well as their significance.

 

 

1. Arete

 

 

 

2. Axial Age

 

 

 

3. Akhenaton

 

 

 

 

4. archetype and phenotype

 

 

 

 

5. Demodokos

 

 

 

 

6. Mimetic criticism

 

 

 

 

7. Pictograph to phonograph

 

 

 

 

8. Hamartia

 

 

 

9. Documentary Hypothesis

 

 

 

 

10.  Civitas and pietas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II (seven points each, 35 points total): Quotations.  Identify five of the following quotations and explain the significance of each.

 

  1. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

 

 

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. he tore out the Bull’s right thigh and tossed it in her face saying, “If I could lay my hands on you, it is this I should do to you, and lash the entrails to your side.”

 

 

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

 

  1. Laws were being enacted,

      Magistrates and a sacred senate chosen.

            Here men were dredging harbors, there they laid

            The deep foundation of a theater,

            And quarried massive pillars to enhance

            The future stage.

 

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. With the me in her possession, she prepared herself:

      She placed the shugurra, the crown of the steppe on her head.

      She arranged the dark locks of hair across her forehead.

      She tied the small lapis beads around her neck.

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. The unexamined life is not worth living.

 

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. “Is it for you

      To lay the stones for Carthage’s high walls

      Tame husband that you are and build their city?

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. Such is the man who on the one hand is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls because of some mistake”

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. This was the man to whom all things were known; this was the king, who knew the countries of the world.  He was wise; he saw mysteries and knew secret things.

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

  1. We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care

      for the gods’ courtesy; Zeus will avenge

      the unoffending guest.

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Look, if you think crude, mindless stubbornness

            Such a gift, you’ve lost your sense of balance.

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

 

  1. So man was born, it may be, in God’s image,

      Or Earth, perhaps, so newly separated

            From the old fire of Heaven

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

 

  1. A prophet?

      Well then, free yourself of every charge!

            Listen to me and learn some peace of mind:

            no skill in the world,

            nothing human can penetrate the future.

 

Author ____________________

 

Title ______________________

 

Significance _____________________________

 

________________________________________

 

Part III (10 points each, 40 points total): Short Answer.  In a very short paragraph (four to six sentences) respond to four of the following questions.  (Write your answers on the backs of these pages)

 

  1. What in the play of Oedipus is there to suggest something of the origins of tragedy?

 

  1. In what sense is the epic of Odysseus about the discovery of self?

 

  1. What is meant by documentary hypothesis in Genesis?  (Hint: Use the term anthropomorphic god.)
  2. What does "captive Greece held Rome captive" have to do with the Aeneid?  (Hint: translation studii)?

 

  1. Discuss the descent in the underworld as a function of epic.

 

  1. In what way is Gilgamesh an epic hero?

 

  1. What do reversal and recognition have to do with Oedipus the King?

 

  1. Discuss the role of intellect in Odysseus and Oedipus.

 

  1. How is the concept of xenia represented in the Odyssey?

 

  1. Analyze the theme of sophrosyne in Oedipus?

 

  1. Compare the flood stories that we have read?

 

  1. Discuss how arrogance is checked in Gilgamesh, Oedipus, and Odysseus.

 

  1. In what ways do Socrates and Jesus represent the religions of the so-called “Axial Age”?

 

 

 

 

2120

Some dates to know: 300 bc, 55 bc, 450, 597, 750, 878, 1066, 1337-1453, 1348, 1381, 1370's
Some terms: Stonehenge, Celts, Anglo-Saxon Poetics (or Prosody), Caedmon's Hymn, Norse Mythology, Vikings, William the Conqueror, Feudalism, Courtly Love, Religious reforms (affective theology), Gothic art, epic traits, romance traits, levels of satire in Chaucer
 

THESE ARE OLD TESTS; SOME OF THE ITEMS WILL NOT BE RELEVANT TO YOUR PARTICULAR CLASS

EXAM I     English 297: Crafton
 

Part I: (Total points possible 20) For two points each, define or state the significance of ten of the following terms and dates:

1. Mystery Play
 

2. What is the date of Beowulf?
 

3. Feudalism
 

4. Wyrd
 

5. Celts
 

6. 597 ad
 

7. 1362
 

8. Heroic paradox
 

9. Incarnational theology
 

10. Feast of Corpus Christi
 

11. 1381
 

12. Caedmon's Hymn
 

13.  Mysticism
 

14.  Order of the Garter
 

15.  Amor Omnia Vincit
 
 
 

Part II: (Total points 50) For five points briefly discuss ten of the following quotations: 1 point for identification, 2 points for plot and 2 points for significance in terms of either theme (idea), literary technique or term, philosophy, or history.

1. A voys he hadde as small as hath a goot.
 No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have;
 As smoothe it was as it were late shave,
 I trowe he were a geldying or a mare.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

2. Then the blade began to waste away from the battle-sweat, the war-sword into battle-icicles.  that was a wondrous thing, that it should all melt, most like the ice when the Father loosens the frost's fetters, undoes the water-bonds.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

3.   That is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre.
 But thilke text heelde he nat worth an oystre;
 And I seyde his opinion was good.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

4. Thus the people of the Geats, his hearth-companions, lamented the death of their lord.  They said that he was of world-kings the mildest of men and the gentlest, kindest to his people, and most eager for fame.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

5.   Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde.
 He koude songes make and wel endite,
 Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write.
 So hoote he lovede that by nightertale
 He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

6.  For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste,
 No wonder is a lewed man to ruste;
 And shame it is, if a prest take keep,
 A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________
 

7.  He hadde maad ful many a mariage
    Of yonge wommen at his owene cost
    Unto his ordre he was a noble post.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

8. Then the hardy one bade that Hrunting be brought to the son of Ecglaf, that he take back his sword, precious iron.  He spoke thanks for that loan, said that he accounted it a good war-friend, strong in battle; in his words he found no fault at all with the sword's edge; he was a thoughtful man.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

9.  Yet he wore not for its wealth that wondrous girdle,
 Nor pride in its pendants, though polished they were,
 Though glittering gold gleamed at the tips,
 But to keep himself safe when consent he must
 To endure a deadly dint, and all defense denied.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________
 

10. And first, he was faultless in his five sense
Nor found ever to fail in his five fingers
And all his fealty was fixed upon the five wounds
That Christ got on the cross, as the creed tells;
... The fifth of the five fives.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

11.  They also set a golden standard high over his head, let the water taken him, gave him to the sea.  Sad was their spirit, mournful their mind.  Men cannot truthfully say who received that cargo, neither counsellors in the hall nor warriors under the skies.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

12.  She reached out a rich ring, wrought all of gold,
 With a splendid stone displayed on the band
 That flashed before his eyes like a fiery sun;
 It was worth a king's wealth, you may well believe..
 
Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

13. And in this he showed a little thing, the quantity of an hazelnut, lying in the palm of my hand, as me seemed, and it was as round as a ball.  I tlooked thereon with the eye of my understanding and though...It is all that is made.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

14. It often happened that his songs kindled a contempt for this world and a longing for the life of Heaven in the hearts of many men.

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________

15. O Death, thou comest when I had thee least in mind.
 In thy power it lieth me to save:
 Yet of my good will I give theee, if thou will be kind,
 Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have --

Author____________________________________

Title_____________________________________

Speaker or character or plot______________

__________________________________________

Significance______________________________

__________________________________________
 
 
 
 

Part III: (Total points 30) For ten points, answer in a high quality paragraph three of the following topics.  WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON THE BACK PAGES.
 

1. Discuss the Gothic style of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

2. Discuss Beowulf as an epic hero

3. Discuss the society that the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales represents.

4. Discuss the allegorical or religious interpretation of the Pardoner's Tale.

1. Discuss the style and meaning of Julian of Norwich's showings.
 
 
 

EXAM I     English 298: Crafton

1. What is the story of Hengest and Horsa?
 
 

2. What is the date of "Beowulf ?
 
 

3. Discuss feudalism
 
 

4. What do we mean by wyrd?
 
 

5. Who were the Celts?
 
 
 

IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING TEN QUOTATIONS

6. A voys he hadde as small as hath a goot.
 No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have;
 As smoothe it was as it were late shave,
 I trowe he were a geldying or a mare.
 
 
 
 
 

7.  Then the great sword, eaten with blood of battle,
 Began to soften and waste away
 In iron icicles, wonder of wonders,
 Melting away most like to ice
 When the Father looses the fetters of frost,
 Slackens the bondage that binds the wave,
 Strong in power of times and seasons;
 He is true God!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Üf ܌8. For myn entente is nat but for to wynne,
 And nothyng for correccioun of synne.
 I rekke nevere, whan that they been beryed,
 Though that hir soules goon aİblakeberyed!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9.   That is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre.
 But thilke text heelde he nat worth an oystre;
 And I seyde his opinion was good.
 
 
 
 
 
 

10. From a friendless foundling, feeble and wretched
 He grew to a terror as time brought change.
 He throve under heaven in power and pride
 Till alien peoples beyond the ocean
 Paid toll and tribute.  A good king he!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11. From time to time in their heathen temples
 Paying homage they offered prayer
 Then the slayer of souls would send them succor
 From all the torment that troubled the folk.

 
 
 

12. The seige and assault being ceased at Troy
 
 
 
 

Üf ܌13. Not one foot's space
 Will I flee from the monster, the ward of the mound.
 It shall fare with us both in the fight at the wall
 As Fate shall allot, the lord of mankind.
 Though bold in spirit, I make no boast.
 
 
 
 
 
 

14. So the folk of the Geats, the friends of his heart,
 Bemoaned the fall of their mighty lord;
 Said he was kindest of worldly kings,
 Mildest, most gentle, most eager for fame.
 
 
 
 
 

15.  Then in progress to their places they passed after washing
 In authorized order, the highİranking first
 
 
 
 
 

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING FIVE QUESTIONS ON THE BACKS OF THESE
PAGES.

16. Discuss Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as a medievalromance.
 

17. Discuss the ways that Beowulf reflects the culture at thetime of its creation.
 

18. How can you argue for variety and complexity in Chaucer'sCanterbury Tales?
 
 

19. What is meant by the Venus to the Virgin motif in Chaucer'spilgrimage idea?
 

20. How can Sir Gawain and the Green Knight be consideredallegorical?