Old English Literature (500-1100)
Old English
a 7th-Century Poet; Cynewulf-a 9th century Poet.
Old English poetry include
The Wanderer, The Seafarer, The Battle of Maldon, and The Dream of the Rood
The Major Manuscripts
Beowulf
The Exeter Book
Caedmon Manuscript
The Vercelli Book
Exile
Beowulf
Venerable Bede (Eclessiastical History of the English Nation)
Domsday Book
Alfred the Great
Father of Engish Prose
The Anlgo-Saxon Chronicle
Birth of English Literature
Anglo-Saxon Cuture
Spread of Christianity
Written Documents.
Oral tradition
Genre
Epic Poem (Deeds of Beowulf)
Setting
Denmark, and sweden in the Sixth, Seventh Century.
Protagonist
Beowulf,Strong and courageous warrior from Scandinavia
Composed by
Bars in Old English (Mixture of Germanic Dialect with accompainment of harp.
Structure two parts
Beowulf Kills Grendel And his Mother.
Beowulf, King of the Geats, kills a dragon but he dies too.
The Author
The author was an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, referred to by scholars as the “Beowulf poet
The Wonderer
The Seafarer
Cynewulf
The Dream of road
Caedmon
Caedmon's Hymn
Cultural Influences
Roman Influence
Angles,Saxons,Jutes.
Royalty
Christianity
Anglo Saxons
Oral Tradition
Christianity writing; moral values of that religion
Christian Art: Devotional wall painting and manuscripts
Alfred the great The Anglo Saxons Chronicle
Built of Churches, monasteries, abbeys
Schools for sons of prominent families and for those who devoted their life to priesthood.
Language
Norman conquest (1066)
In England were Spoken
French (Nobility), Latin,English, Italian.
Epic Poem
Beowulf
Oral
Scops
Verse
Memory
Rhythm
Alliteration Repetition
Voyage
Legends
Mythical hero
Super natural creatures
Brave actions,fights
Bloody Texts
Old English elegies' focus on loss, separation and the transience of earthly things.
also called Junius Manuscript
a compilation of seven surviving interrelated manuscript records that is the primary source for the early history of England
Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Literature
Several Devices Including :
Metaphors
Similes
Alliteration
Kenning
Repetition
Stories about heroic warriors prevailing in battle
Stories werer often filled with violence and gore
Old English Poets
Caedom (Mid 7th Century)
Saint Bede (c672-735)
Cynewulf (c770-840)
Alfred the Great (849-899)
Old English Poetry two types
Heroic Germanic pre-Christian
Christian
Four Manuscripts
Junius Aka Caedmon
Exeter Book
Vercelli Book
Nowell Codex