Page 1

Title

• Unit 1: Old English Literature

• Dr. Emma Domínguez Rué

Page 2

Historical Overview of Literature in English

• Historical Context

  • Withdrawal of Roman legions in 410 AD

  • Old English period: 600-1100 AD

  • Anglo-Saxon influences:

    • Local linguistic, cultural, & social forces

    • Cultural/Linguistic Influences:

      • Icelandic

      • Viking

      • Latin

      • French

      • Germanic

      • Celtic

Page 3

Poetry in Old English

• Notable Works:

  • Caedmon’s Hymn (circa 670) - Whitby, Northumbria

  • Deor’s Lament

  • The Exeter Book (end of 10th Century) - Exeter, Devon

  • "The Wanderer"

  • "The Seafarer"

  • Genesis A & Genesis B

  • The Dream of the Rood (end of 7th Century) - Ruthwell Cross, Scotland/Northumbria

Page 4

Poetry in Old English

• Further Notable Works

  • Cynewulf (8th/9th Century) - Northumbria

  • The Exeter Book (2 poems)

  • The Vercelli Book (2 poems)

  • The Battle of Maldon (991 AD)

Page 5

Beowulf

• Overview:

  • Composition: circa 750 AD (between 6th and 11th Century)

  • Epic hero from afar

  • Characters:

    • Hrothgar, king of the Danes

    • Heorot castle

    • Grendel

  • Themes:

    • Blurring of reality and fiction

    • Power, success, & honour

Page 6

Poetry in Old English

• Genres:

  • Epic Poetry:

    • Recalls a shared glorious past

    • Deeds of a brave man

  • Tragedy:

    • Hero inevitably faces death

  • Elegy:

    • Remembers things & times now past

Page 7

Prose in Old English

• Notable Works:

  • Laws (early 7th Century)

    • Example: 30 shilling penalty for splitting a man’s ear

  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

    • Compiled during the last decade of King Alfred's reign (849-901 AD)

    • Translations in the vernacular

    • Early history documentation

  • Cura Pastoralis