Literary Terms Quiz (Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods)

What is a metaphorical compound expression used in Old English and Norse poetry (e.g., “whale-road” for the sea)?

What is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words?

What is a mournful poem, often lamenting the dead?

What is the set of values emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and honor among warriors?

What is a story within a story, as seen in The Canterbury Tales?

What is the transmission of cultural stories, beliefs, and history through spoken word, especially prevalent in the Anglo-Saxon period?

What is a narrative with a symbolic message, often religious or ethical?

What is a pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry, often used in Anglo-Saxon verse?

What is an Old English concept often translated as “fate” or “destiny,” central to the worldview in Beowulf?

What is a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by the negation of its opposite, often creating an understated or ironic effect (e.g., saying "not bad" to mean "good")?