Understanding 'The Wife's Lament'

The video tutorial explores 'The Wife's Lament,' a poem from the Anglo-Saxon period, translated by Ann Stanford. It discusses the poem's unique female perspective, likely authored by a male monk, and its historical context, including marriage customs of the time. The poem's plot involves themes of exile, betrayal, and longing, with a focus on allegorical elements. The tutorial includes a reading of the poem and encourages students to analyze it independently, preparing them for the next lesson on Beowulf.

Who translated 'The Wife's Lament' into modern English?

• Anne Stanford

• J.R.R. Tolkien

• Seamus Heaney

• Ezra Pound

What is unique about 'The Wife's Lament' in terms of perspective?

• It is from an animal's perspective

• It is from a child's perspective

• It is from a male perspective

• It is from a female perspective

What does the word 'lament' in the title suggest about the poem?

• Joy

• Sorrow

• Anger

• Excitement

How is the narrative structure of 'The Wife's Lament' described?

• Fragmented

• Non-linear

• Circular

• Chronological

In Anglo-Saxon times, what was a primary reason for marriage among the wealthy?

• Religious duty

• Economic gain

• Political alliances

• Love

What happens to the wife in the poem?

• She returns to her family

• She is exiled

• She becomes a warrior

• She becomes a queen

What is the setting for the wife's exile in the poem?

• A castle

• A desert

• A mountain

• A forest

What is the main theme of 'The Wife's Lament'?

• Exile and longing

• Victory

• Betrayal

• Adventure