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Anglo Saxon Poetry

Anglo Saxon Poetry. Anglo Saxons …Who Are They?. Great Britain – invaded and settled many times Ancient people called Iberians Celts ( kelts ) Romans Angles and Saxons Vikings Normans Today’s “English” comes from all these invasions. Characteristics of AS Culture. Bravery in battle

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Anglo Saxon Poetry

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  1. Anglo Saxon Poetry

  2. Anglo Saxons …Who Are They? • Great Britain – invaded and settled many times • Ancient people called Iberians • Celts (kelts) • Romans • Angles and Saxons • Vikings • Normans • Today’s “English” comes from all these invasions

  3. Characteristics of AS Culture Bravery in battle Bards or scops (poets) used to elevate heroes of the tribes; very important Faith in God to intervene positively with fate Influence of old pagan religion Warfare!

  4. Characteristics of AS Culture Amassing a fortune in battle Reverence for womanhood --- precursor to chivalry --- is expected Openhanded hospitality Truth is highly cherished virtue Great love for personal freedom

  5. Mead Hall

  6. Women in Anglo Saxon Culture Had rights until Norman Conquest (1066) Inherited and held property After married, still retained control over own property Prospective husband had to offer a woman a substantial gift of money and land; woman had control over this gift Christianity offered opportunities for women

  7. Concepts of AS Society Loyal dependency Wyrd – fate; the idea that you die when you die, that no one sings your song Sacrifice of self for one’s king/leader

  8. AS Ideals Love of glory was a ruling motive Allegiance to the king/lord is cherished and demanded Reverence for womanhood Great love for personal freedom Sentiments are usually suppressed

  9. Characteristics of AS Poetry Reflected juxtaposition of the Church and pagan world Lines do not rhyme Each line has four beats (rhythm); line is divided into 2 halves, each half having 2 beats Each line has a pause (caesura) after 2nd beat

  10. Characteristics of AS Poetry • Kennings – phrases that are an elaborate and indirect way of naming person, things, or events • Example – the sea is called “the pathless deep” or “the whale’s road” • Alliteration • Tendency toward didacticism or instruction

  11. Kennings 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)

  12. 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

  13. Kennings Assignment 1. 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)

  14. Kennings Assignment With a partner (or alone), create five kennings. Be sure to include poetic qualities. Don’t share your kennings with others. The class will try to guess your kennings when everyone finishes. Must be school appropriate!

  15. Multiple Choice Questions In 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.

  16. “The Wanderer” A man is alone, cast out, left to wander in search of a new lord Lost his lord --- the complete collapse of his entire world Has no purpose, no more friends, no more hopes of enjoying treasures, no one to feast with, no one to pledge loyalty to Begins by asking the Lord for understanding and compassion during his exile at sea; cannot avoid see bc it is his fate Recalls hardships Ends with advice – look to God for comfort

  17. “The Wanderer” – as you read Look for AS poetic devices (kennings, alliteration, caesuras) Remember – starts out as someone wandering around without friends, but turns into a lesson on wisdom Consider the AS culture and what is important to them; what is their livelihood?

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