Anglo-Saxon Literary Terms

1. Anglo-Saxon Literary Terms

2. Epic Poem A long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.

3. Folk Epics Have no certain authorship and arise, usually through storytelling, from the collective experiences of a people. Example: Beowulf

4. Literary Epics Written down by known authors Example: Paradise Lost by John Milton

5. Characteristics of Epics • begins in “medias res” (in the middle of things) • begins with an invocation to a Muse • content is concerned with the fate of a nation or a people • set on a large scale, ranging around the world

6. Characteristics Con’t • the intervention of supernatural figures • extended similes • long catalogues (lists) • extensive battle scenes • stock episodes

7. Epic Boast A self-admiring speech given by the hero of an epic for the purpose of glorifying himself.

8. Caesura A natural break in a line of poetry which helps to provide rhythm

9. Lament A song or poem that expresses grief or regret In its verb form, it means “to cry or grieve.”

10. Elegy A type of lyric poem which is usually a formal mourning for someone’s death

11. Archetype An original pattern or model from which all other things of the same kind are made Example: The film was one of the archetypes of the American Western.

12. Quest A journey one undertakes with the intention of seeking something Example: the Holy Grail

13. Mead The fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast.

14. Comitaus An agreement between a lord and his thanes in which the thanes swear to protect the lord, while the lord provides protection, wealth, and weapons

15. Kenning The metaphoric and often creative compound re-naming of an ordinary object Examples: bird’s nest (hair) sea road (ocean) ring-giver (king)

16. Ecclesiastical Having to do with the church

17. Epithet A word or phrase, often disparaging or abusive, which expresses a character trait of someone or something

18. Vocation A profession that is often seen as a calling by those who carry it out Examples: minister, teacher, fireman, policeman

19. Since the Anglo-Saxon people had no form of written language in the beginning, they relied on oral tradition to pass down stories and songs.

20. Motif A theme, character type, image, metaphor, or other verbal element that recurs throughout a single work of literature or occurs in a number of different works over a period of time

21. Icon This shape can be said to be an “icon” because it is easily associated with the word “Stop”