Notes for Anglo Saxon Poetry “The Wanderer”

1. Notes for Anglo Saxon Poetry“The Wanderer”

2. ELEGY • A poem in which the speaker mourns for someone or something (such as a way of life) that has passed away or has been lost • Usually full of melancholy • A gloomy state of mind; sadness • Often involving a wish for “the way things used to be”

3. MOOD • The emotions the reader feels while reading a piece of literature • The poet creates mood through word choice, images, and situations • Mood is different from Tone • Mood is what the reader feels • Tone is the attitude of the writer towards the subject

4. IMAGERY • The mental pictures created by a piece of writing • Created by appealing to the reader’s senses • Can include, but not limited to metaphors, similes, personification

5. PAGANISM v. CHRISTIANITY • Anglo Saxon pagans believed in wyrd – Old English term for Fate • Life was harsh and difficult – death was the only sure thing • Honored the warriors whose fate it was to die in battle • 300-600 a.d. – Christianity spread through Britain • Gave people hope for something after life • Suffering on Earth followed by eternal happiness in Heaven • Shift between ideas seen in poetry – co-exist

6. COMITATUS • a society or brotherhood of men who owed allegiance to a chieftain and expected his benevolence in return • Allegiance – dedication • Benevolence – kindness and favor

7. COMITATUS • Tribes were led by Chieftains • Thanes/Warriors served the Chieftain, and were rewarded and made a part of the society • A warrior without a society and a chieftain was VERY ALONE – he craves someone to serve