Old English Literature Anglo-Saxon literature

Collapse Of The Roman Empire

AD 409 Rome pulled its last soldiers out of Britain. Romanized Celts left to fight alone

Christianity in Britain as Civilizing Force

- gradual change of worldview -old anglo saxon belief in primitive vindictive gods -Christianity: a new hope and light unknown to pagans, new belief in power of forgiveness -Christianity brought the Bible

Monasteries

-places of learning and education. -villages and towns grew around momasteries. -export and import of goods. -Bede the Venerable is one of the church fathers and greatest minds of his age

Alfred the Great

fought with vikings and protected his kingdom. Recruited scholars from the continent and from Britain to aid in revival of Christian learning in Wessex. -Revival of culture. -developement of literature

Anglo saxon common themes:

The sea- Saxons and Jutes sailed across the sea to get to British isles with their plan of invasion, War- anglo saxon sailors= fierce warriors, Love- poetic songs of love and passion

Old English Literature Sources of Influence:

Christianity, Literature of Antiquity, Legends and History of Germanic Tribes, Produced in: Monasteries (Christian themes)

Old English Literature:

the Old English period- blending of Anglo Saxon and Celtic culture. Rise of Heroic poetry

Beowulf (7th.c.) courtly poetry

-greatest Old English poem, first English heroic epic, -Anonymous, composed in England

Anglo Saxon style:

-no rhymes. -Alliteration -Synthetic language. -lofty style, elevated language -Formulaic -Kennings

Beowulf as Epic Hero:

-physical strength (stronger than opponents) -moral strength and virtue. -Bravery - Dangerous quests and adventures

Beowulf narrative features

- connection with ancient epic. -Framework(starts and ends with a funeral) -constant battle between good and evil. -celebration of warriors and their bravery. -supernatural forces. -shortness of human life