Question

Which parts of this passage contain a biblical allusion?

Answer 1

Do you know what an allusion is?

Answer 2

I understand this is probably a very easy question, but I keep getting it wrong. Answer choices are in parenthesis.

So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one began
to fashion evils, that field of hell.
(Grendel this monster grim was called,)

(march-riever mighty), in moorland living,
in fen and fastness; (fief of the giants)
(the hapless wight a while had kept)
since the Creator his exile doomed.
(On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.)
Ill fared his feud, and far was he driven,
for the slaughter’s sake,
(from sight of men. Of Cain awoke all that woful breed,
Etins and elves and evil-spirits,)

Answer 3

Not exactly, no.

Answer 4

The definition of allusion is: "an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference."

Answer 5

"On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel."
This makes a reference to the story of Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy, and God punished him for it. So its probably that one.
However, the next answer also mentions Cain.

Answer 6

I may be

Answer 7

wrong. But I would go with the first one.
"On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel."

Answer 8

Good Luck!

Answer 9

Thank you!