Judith (poem translated by Mary Savelli) Quiz

Answer: The Latin Vulgate

The King James and Geneva translations were not yet in existence when "Judith" was composed. "The Septuagint" was, but the poem appears to have been based on "Judith" as it appears in St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate. Jerome used an Aramaic text and another Latin translation to compile his version. "Judith" is included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in Protestant and Jewish Bibles.

Answer: no

"Judith" survives in a manuscript alongside "Beowulf," but both the author and date of composition are unknown.

Answer: A Christianization of the text

"The Savior" alludes to Jesus Christ, but the events in Judith take place prior to the birth of Christ. Judith also prays to God as the "Holy Son of Heaven." The author of the poem Christianized the Jewish tale, much as the author of "Beowulf" Christianized that pagan story.

Answer: Holofernes

Holofernes is the enemy of the Jewish people and the commander-in-chief of the Assyrian forces. In the Old Testament, a woman named Jael drove a tent peg through the commander Sisera, killing him.

Answer: To seduce her

Holofernes is captivated by the beauty of Judith, and intends to take advantage of her. She, however, kills him and cuts off his head.

Answer: Jewess

Judith means "Jewess," though the name was taken by many non-Jewish peoples. King ęthelwulf, for instance, had a Queen named Judith, who was the daughter of Charles the Bald, a West Frankish King.

Answer: He is passed out drunk

Holofernes holds a huge drinking party, to which he beckons Judith. Later, he has his men bring her to his tent, but before she arrives, he has passed out from drunkenness.

Answer: Two

"Then, she struck her enemy with shining sword, / swung that sharp blade straight down upon his stiff neck . . . / Then courageous lady / earnestly struck that heathen hound one more time / so that his head rolled forth to the floor below."

Answer: Bethulia

Judith returns to Bethulia with the head of Holofernes, urging her people, "Then, bear your shields bravely forward, / bucklers to your breasts and your burnished helmets, / as you enter the antagonistsę campground."

Answer: False

"Judith" survives only as a fragment. The first part of the story, in which the Assyrian army surrounds the city of Bethulia and cuts off its water supply, is missing from the most intact manuscripts. It begins, instead, after Judith has already rebuked the elders and left the city to infiltrate the camp of Holofernes: ". . . None doubted the gifts of the Grand Creator / to this great earth, where she had found help from God. /When she had the most need of the Mighty Prince, /then God protected her from greatest danger."