English English 3010British

English 3010—British Literature to 1700

Mid Term Examination: Identification/Short Essay Portion (pages 1-4)

and Longer Essay Portion (page 5)

(note: please submit both portions as a single Word document

to the indicated dropbox when finished)

First Instruction: Please type your name here:

I. Identification/Explication (15 pts. each, 75 pts. possible). Instructions: To begin, please download this document

and type your answers in the spaces provided. In this first section, please identify any five of the eight passages below.

Each correct identification (last name of author and work) is worth 3 pts, and should be placed next to “Source.” After

you’ve identified the passage, discuss it in a mini-essay of around 5-6 sentences. In the brief explication essay, begin by

reading the passage itself, commenting on its basic message and its importance. Then place it within context of the work,

highlighting what the passage reveals about key themes, motifs, or ideas relevant to the work’s larger message. You might

consider what contemporary readers “see” in the passage as well. Each mini-essay is up to worth up to 12 pts. Note: You

are welcome to try your hand at identifying and discussing more than five of the passages; in that case I will read over and

score each reply you provide and will calculate your grade based on the five highest scores.

1. The wise man must realize how ghastly it will be

when all the wealth of this world stands waste,

as now here and there throughout this middle-earth

walls stand blasted by wind,

beaten by frost, the buildings crumbling,

The wine halls topple, their rulers lie

deprived of all joys; the proud old troops

all fell by the wall.

Source:

Explication:

Score:

2. Take this cup, my noble courteous lord,

giver of treasure? Be truly joyful,

gold-friend of men, and then speak to the Geats

in mild words, as a man should do!

Be gracious to the Geats, mindful of the gifts

which you no have from near and far.

I have been told that you would take this warrior

for your son. Heorot is cleansed,

the bright ring-hall—use your many rewards

while you can, and leave to your kinsmen,

the folk and kingdom, when you must go forth

to face the Maker’s decree.

Source:

Explication:

Score:

3. Of avarice and of swich cursednesse

Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free

To yeven hir pens, and namely unto me.

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 a-blakeberyed!

For certes, many a predicacioun

Comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun;

Som for plesance of folk and flaterye,

To been avaunced by ypocrisye,

And som for veyne glorie, and som for hate.

Source:

Explication:

Score:

4. Coifi, chief of his own priests, immediately answered, “Consider, O king, this new doctrine that is being preached to