Question

When does the Beowulf manuscript date back to?

A) 10th century
B) 12th century
C) 8th century
D) 6th century

Answer 1

The correct answer is option A) 10th century.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Beowulf manuscript is dated to the 10th century. This places it squarely within the timeline known as the Viking Age which spanned from the late 8th century to the late 11th century. Although the story of Beowulf is set in the 6th century, the physical manuscript we have hails from much later. The creation of the manuscript aligns with the historical period of Old English which ranged from 450 to 1066 A.D., showcasing the language and literary style of that era.

This particular document is an important artifact from the time, giving us insight into the culture, language, and literary interests of the Anglo-Saxon period in England.