Anglo Saxon Literature

This post caters to the study of the Complementary Course “Evolution of Literary Movements”, assigned for students of BA English programme at CMS College.

Anglo Saxon Literature/ Old English Literature

The term        “Old English”

The period     Advent of the Anglo Saxons (AD 450) – the Norman conquest (AD 1066)

Anglo Saxon culture: minstrel for noble family/ theme of the songs/ oral communication (how did this influence the nature of the songs?)

Poetry

Pagan and Christian readings possible.

Beowulf         

                probably AD 1000; manuscript discovered in the 18th c.

                (Please refer the text for story; content; characters)

Seen both as a pagan and Christian poem

Images of social life reflected in the poem

Widsith         travelogue where a minstrel visits various manors; describes the people and their life there. 

The Complaint of Deor          First OE lyric. Complaint of a minstrel named Deor. How this theme is later reflected in Shakespeare

The Charms curious verses sung by the Saxon peasant; supposed to ward off the evil eye.

Caedmon 

the first native maker of English verse; writer of first religious poem in OE. Legend about his inspiration. Biblical themes. “Hymn of Creation”

Cynewulf 8^th c. Only OE poet who made known his authorship by signature.  “Elene/ Dream of the Rood”. Riddles also are ascribed to the poet.

Prose

Three phases:              Age of Bede (d. AD 735);

Programme of Alfred (d. 899)

Benedictine Revival (late 10^th c.)

Prose developed in monasteries.

Aldhelm 

monk and bishop. Wrote in both Latin and English

Venerable Bede 

Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Reliable record of the land.

King Alfred founded monasteries to encourage learning. Translator and compiler of handbooks of theology and geography

Main translations: Bede’s Ecclesiastical History; Pope Gregory’s “Pastoral Care”, Orosius’ “History of the World”, Boethius’ “Philosophy”

Establishment of public schools.

Anglo Saxon Chronicle 

Set up by Alfred. Most reliable document of the history and social conditions of England. Only vernacular history of the period.

Benedictine Revival (10^th c.):

Developed in monasteries following the discipline of St. Benedict (p 29). The days of Edgar the Peaceful and Dunstan. 

Aelfric  monk who wrote sermons in Anglo Saxon; his homilies were designed to be read by all people.

Wulfstan Political and legal writings.

 

 Pre English and Old English periods constitute much of the first millennium. Time of political decline and cultural growth.

Artistic revival: book production, manuscript illustration and illumination; embroidery; architecture and music.

Political decline: Norman conquest; change in language. Latin continues as language of church. English usages maintained in some liturgical texts such as Book of Common Prayer (eg. marriage vows).

Common man’s English maintained in cases like days of the week.