Old English/Beowulf: Assignment 1b

• 1. When was Old English spoken?
  It was spoken between the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century.
  
  2. Name 4 language groups which influenced the development of Old English.
  Celtic, Germanic, Latin, Norse.
  
  3. In the Phonology section, name 5 phonetical differences between Old English & Modern English.
  The wynn symbol < ƿ > is usually substituted with .
  Insular < ȝ > is usually substituted with modern
  Kentish < æ > is usually substituted with modern < ę >
  The insular symbols ‹ſ›and‹ʃ› are substituted by their modern counterpart
  modern manuscripts often distinguish between a velar and palatal and with diacritic dots above the putative palatals: < ċ >, < ġ >.
  
  4. Are there any similarites between Old English and Modern English? Name them.
  the word order and the question formation.
  
  5. In the Orthography section, enlarge the picture of the runic alphabet. How many letters (runes) are there in this alphabet?
  There are 34 letters (runes) in this alphabet.
  
  6. Which epic poem was originally written in Old English?
  It was Beowulf poem.
  
  
  7. In the See Also section, click on: Beowulf. Appoximately when was Beowulf written?
  Beowulf was written between 8th century and early 11th century.
  
  8. Even though Beowulf was written in England, the story takes place in which countries?
  It takes place in Denmark and Sweden.
  
  
  9. In the poem, which 3 antagonists does Beowulf battle or fight against?
  They are Grendel , Grendel’s mother and an Unnamed Dragon.
  
  
  10. What happens to Beowulf at the end of the story?
  Beowulf is fatally wounded and he died.
  
  
  11. Who was the author of Beowulf?
  He is unknown but is considered that was passed by oral tradition by scop (old English poets).
  
  12. What were the titles and the dates of the two film versions of Beowulf?
  Beowulf and Grendel (2005) Beowulf (2007).