Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is considered the 'father of old English poetry'?
Who is considered the 'father of old English poetry'?
In what manuscript can the Heroic Poem Beowulf be found?
In what manuscript can the Heroic Poem Beowulf be found?
Which bishop is known to have performed secular songs while accompanied by a harp?
Which bishop is known to have performed secular songs while accompanied by a harp?
What system is old English poetry based upon?
What system is old English poetry based upon?
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Who proposed that students be educated in Old English and then Latin for those who excelled?
Who proposed that students be educated in Old English and then Latin for those who excelled?
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Where can 'Christ' and 'Juliana' be found in Old English literature?
Where can 'Christ' and 'Juliana' be found in Old English literature?
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Who tried to restore English culture and improve the poor state of Latin education?
Who tried to restore English culture and improve the poor state of Latin education?
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Which manuscript is a mixture of various forms of Old English poetry?
Which manuscript is a mixture of various forms of Old English poetry?
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Which term is used to describe the works that include epic poetry, hagiography, sermons, bible translations, etc., during the Anglo-Saxon period?
Which term is used to describe the works that include epic poetry, hagiography, sermons, bible translations, etc., during the Anglo-Saxon period?
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Which age of Heroic Poetry is characterized by an elegiac tone, references to horror, and natural elements like cliffs and swamps?
Which age of Heroic Poetry is characterized by an elegiac tone, references to horror, and natural elements like cliffs and swamps?
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Who was trained in Latin and Celtic-Irish scholarship by Malmesbury's Irish founder?
Who was trained in Latin and Celtic-Irish scholarship by Malmesbury's Irish founder?
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During which years did most of the manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon period get written?
During which years did most of the manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon period get written?
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Who is known for the studies of mathematics and rhetoric in their books handbook and manual?
Who is known for the studies of mathematics and rhetoric in their books handbook and manual?
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Which language became dominant after the 11th century for the church and learning purposes?
Which language became dominant after the 11th century for the church and learning purposes?
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In which century did Geoffrey Chaucer and his contemporaries write their works?
In which century did Geoffrey Chaucer and his contemporaries write their works?
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Which literature period is considered 'like no other period' in terms of its timespan by the Norton Anthology of English Literature?
Which literature period is considered 'like no other period' in terms of its timespan by the Norton Anthology of English Literature?
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Whose works dealt with stories of creation in their writings?
Whose works dealt with stories of creation in their writings?
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Which play is dated 'after 1485' and is considered a morality play?
Which play is dated 'after 1485' and is considered a morality play?
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Which poet is referred to as the 'first finder of our language'?
Which poet is referred to as the 'first finder of our language'?
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Who focused on the adventure of individual knights of the round table in their writings?
Who focused on the adventure of individual knights of the round table in their writings?
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Which event marked the beginning of a series of holy wars according to the text?
Which event marked the beginning of a series of holy wars according to the text?
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Who was a prominent English poet before Shakespeare?
Who was a prominent English poet before Shakespeare?
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What did medieval social theory have little to say about according to the text?
What did medieval social theory have little to say about according to the text?
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What did French writers in the 12th and 13th century transform into legendary history of Britain?
What did French writers in the 12th and 13th century transform into legendary history of Britain?
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What was the chief form of secular literature in the middle of the 12th century?
What was the chief form of secular literature in the middle of the 12th century?
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In the romances derived from earlier French epic, what was subordinated to the military exploits of Charlemagne?
In the romances derived from earlier French epic, what was subordinated to the military exploits of Charlemagne?
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Who is denounced by Gilda in the romances?
Who is denounced by Gilda in the romances?
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What did the romances based on Alexander the Great and Troy focus on?
What did the romances based on Alexander the Great and Troy focus on?
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Which history adds traditions, natural and supernatural, growing among the Britons?
Which history adds traditions, natural and supernatural, growing among the Britons?
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What accompanied the recitation of romances in the great halls or ladies' bowers?
What accompanied the recitation of romances in the great halls or ladies' bowers?
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Study Notes
The Church and Institutions
- During the period, the church stood hand in hand with the states and its institutions
- The romance, especially the metrical romance, was the chief form of secular literature
- Romances can be grouped into four great classes, including those derived from earlier French epic
Old English Poetry
- The system is based upon accent, alliteration, the quantity of vowels, and pattern of syllabic accentuation
- Most English poets are anonymous, but 12 are known by name, including Caedmon, Bede, and Alfred
- Caedmon is considered the "father of Old English poetry"
- Aldhelm is known through William of Malmesbury, who said he performed secular songs while accompanied by harp
- Cynewulf is attributed to works such as "The Fates of the Apostles" and "Elene"
Heroic Poems
- Beowulf is the longest and most important heroic poem, with 3,182 lines, and appears in the Nowell Codex
- Beowulf tells the story of the legendary Geatish hero Beowulf
- Heroic poetry is characterized by an elegiac tone, grims, and cliff and swamp imagery
Old English Literature
- Old English is the oldest language written down, second to Gothic language
- King Alfred the Great tried to restore English culture and lamented the poor state of Latin education
- Anglo-Saxon is classified into three periods: Old Pagan poetry (449-670 AD), Old English Christian (671-871 AD), and Old English prose (871-1100 AD)
- Old English poetry is divided into pre-Christian and Christian poems
Middle English Literature
- The Norton Anthology of English Literature considers Middle English literature as a unique period in terms of time span
- "Everyman" is a morality play dated "after 1485"
- The Norman Conquest led to changes in the structure and vocabulary of the English language
- French became the dominant language after the 11th century, and Latin was the language of the church and learning
- King Arthur was an international figure, with stories and knights originating in Celtic poems and later expanded to French romances
- Geoffrey Chaucer was familiar with poetry that has its roots in the English period
- Chaucer and his contemporaries, such as Gorrer, William Langland, and Gawain poet, wrote in the latter third of the 14th century
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Description
Explore a brief overview of Old English literature, including epic poetry, hagiography, sermons, the Bible, translation works, legal texts, chronicles, and riddles. Learn about the transition from Latin to vernacular languages, with a focus on the efforts of King Alfred the Great to revive English culture. Discover the classification of Anglo-Saxon literature into Old Pagan poetry, Old English Christian works, and Old English prose.
