Which term is the Old Norse/Old English word for praise or glory?

• A. Kleos
• B. Nostos
• C. Arete
• D. Lōf

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is how early Germanic languages express the idea of praise or renown earned from heroic deeds. The word in Old English and Old Norse that directly means this is lōf (often seen as lof in Old Norse). It refers to praise, fame, or glory that a warrior or leader earns from their deeds and the lasting reputation that follows among people. In poems from this era, a hero’s lof is the social currency that proves their worth and secures their memory after death.

Think of how this differs from the other terms: kleos is the Greek concept of heroic glory, especially as it survives in epic storytelling; nostos is about the return home after a journey; arete is Greek for excellence or virtue. Those Greek terms don’t fit the Old Norse/Old English linguistic and cultural context, making lōf the correct choice for the question.