The chart above shows samples of the changes in the English language.
#1 is Old English or AngloSaxon (circa 450-1066 CE).
#2 is Middle English (circa 1066-1450 AD).
#3 is Modern English from about the time of Shakespeare.
#4 is another sample of Modern English, but it is more recent than #3.
Old
English Poetry: Beowulf
Beowulf
is the idealized warrior of a heroic age and the exemplar of what the
Anglo-Saxons chiefly admired as masculine qualities. He is fearless but not
foolhardy, uncomplicated but intelligent, serious but not dull. He is thoroughly
adjusted in mind and body to a soldierly code and a “kill and get killed”
expectancy. His stolid, essentially pessimistic view of life is reinforced by
the author of the work with nature scenes of somber magnificence. Ironically,
the first great work of English literature is set entirely in Scandinavia
without any mention of England or the English.
Definition:
Epic or Heroic Poem
A long narrative poem on a great and serious
subject, related in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine
figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human
race.
Characteristics
of Old English Verse:
1. Four stress line. Each line of Anglo-Saxon
verse contained four accented syllables.
2. A pause or caesura divided each line into two
staves . Each stave contained two stressed syllables.
3. Alliteration to bind the line together and
reinforce rhythmic effect.
4. Repetition through synonymous words or
phrases. This parallelism resembles that of Old Testament Hebraic poetry and allows
for much of the same kind of stately, solemn progress and emphasis.
5. End-stopping of the lines.
6. The use of the kenning, a compound word of metaphoric quality.
Examples:
swan-road = the sky
battle-sweat
= blood
peace-weaver = wife
/ mother
ring-giver = generous
king
7. Specialized poetic vocabulary which employed
words unfamiliar to current conversation.
8. An elevated and aristocratic tone pervaded,
since poetry was primarily intended for recital with harp accompaniment to gathered
nobles and warriors in mead halls.
9. A rapid narrative style, which often omitted
explanatory details and abruptly turned from one event to another.
10. Oral, not written composition . The scop (poet) composed and the gleeman (minstrel) chanted OE verses
long before they were committed to manuscript.
PAGAN /
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS IN BEOWULF
The pagan elements in Beowulf are numerous.
--The
dead are cremated
--Omens
are observed to direct human conduct
--Sacrifices
are vowed at the temple of idols
--The
praise of worldly glory
--The
theme of blood vengeance
--Frequent
references to the power of Wyrd (fate)
However, the Beowulf poet shows knowledge of and
employs terminology from the Christian Scriptures and liturgy.
--Cain
(putative ancestor of Grendel)
--Giants
before the flood
--The
deluge
--Satan
--Virtues
of moderation, unselfishness, and service to others are highly praised
--The
final tribute to Beowulf by his faithful thane
