Anglo Saxon Poetry

Anglo Saxon Poetry

Anglo Saxons Who Are They?Great Britain invaded and settled many timesAncient people called IberiansCelts (kelts)RomansAngles and SaxonsVikingsNormansTodays English comes from all these invasions

Characteristics of AS CultureBravery in battleBards or scops (poets) used to elevate heroes of the tribes; very importantFaith in God to intervene positively with fateInfluence of old pagan religionWarfare!Characteristics of AS CultureAmassing a fortune in battleReverence for womanhood --- precursor to chivalry --- is expectedOpenhanded hospitality Truth is highly cherished virtueGreat love for personal freedomMead Hall

Women in Anglo Saxon CultureHad rights until Norman Conquest (1066)Inherited and held propertyAfter married, still retained control over own propertyProspective husband had to offer a woman a substantial gift of money and land; woman had control over this giftChristianity offered opportunities for women

Concepts of AS SocietyLoyal dependencyWyrd fate; the idea that you die when you die, that no one sings your songSacrifice of self for ones king/leader

AS IdealsLove of glory was a ruling motiveAllegiance to the king/lord is cherished and demandedReverence for womanhoodGreat love for personal freedomSentiments are usually suppressedCharacteristics of AS PoetryReflected juxtaposition of the Church and pagan worldLines do not rhymeEach line has four beats (rhythm); line is divided into 2 halves, each half having 2 beatsEach line has a pause (caesura) after 2nd beatCharacteristics of AS PoetryKennings phrases that are an elaborate and indirect way of naming person, things, or eventsExample the sea is called the pathless deep or the whales roadAlliteration Tendency toward didacticism or instructionKennings Assignment A kenning is a literary device in which a poetic phrase substitutes for a noun. In the best kennings, one element of the phrase will create a striking, unexpected comparison.

AS Examples:sky-candle (the sun) battle sweat (blood) helmet bearers (warriors) giver of gold (king) dwelling place (home) storm of swords (battle) Kennings Assignment Listed below are some modern kennings. Can you find examples of striking imagery, alliteration, consonance, rhyme, and assonance among them? Can you identify the concept each kenning represents?

1. gas guzzler 2. muffin top 3. rug rat 4. land line 5. eye candy 6. cancer stick 7. couch potato Kennings Assignment1. gas guzzler a vehicle that has poor gas mileage ( alliteration, striking imagery) 2. muffin top extra skin at the top of a pair of too-tight jeans (striking imagery) 3. rug rat a mischievous child (alliteration, striking imagery) 4. land line a traditional telephone (alliteration) 5. eye candy a person or thing with visual appeal but little substance (striking imagery) 6. cancer stick a cigarette (striking imagery)) 7. couch potato a person who gets little exercise (assonance and striking imagery) Kennings AssignmentWith a partner (or alone), create five kennings. Be sure to include poetic qualities. Dont share your kennings with others. The class will try to guess your kennings when everyone finishes.Must be school appropriate!Multiple Choice QuestionsIn pairs (or alone), create 5 multiple-choice questions from the notes you took today.You must have 4 choices (A, B, C, D)Only one choice can be obviously wrong (funny)You can write these on the back on your kennings assignment.Circle the correct answer.The WandererA man is alone, cast out, left to wander in search of a new lordLost his lord --- the complete collapse of his entire worldHas no purpose, no more friends, no more hopes of enjoying treasures, no one to feast with, no one to pledge loyalty toBegins by asking the Lord for understanding and compassion during his exile at sea; cannot avoid see bc it is his fateRecalls hardshipsEnds with advice look to God for comfortThe Wanderer as you readLook for AS poetic devices (kennings, alliteration, caesuras)Remember starts out as someone wandering around without friends, but turns into a lesson on wisdomConsider the AS culture and what is important to them; what is their livelihood?