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Home , Christ I, Deor, Dream of the Rood, Elene, Judith (poem), Juliana (poem)

English 311, Spr '12. Gordon Whatley, HH 20B; ex. 2987/3180 RAZ 304, Mon 6.30-9.20 Hrs. Mon 5-6 & by appt. [email protected]

Literature of the Anglo-Saxons

Old English, sometimes called “Anglo-Saxon,” is the modern term for the Germanic language of the English people (from Latin Angli, ) between ca. 600 and 1100. During much of this period – the early Middle Ages --- all over continental the dominant written language was Latin, except in , Wales and , where literature was being written down as early as ca. 700. From England we have written copies of their varied vernacular compositions, in substantial numbers, from before the year 1100. literature is the oldest surviving substantial body of vernacular European literature (early Irish and Welsh texts survive only in later copies). It comprises a rich medley of secular, heroic (including , Maldon, and ), riddles and wisdom poetry (such as Maxims and Fortunes of Men), biblical epics ( & , , and ), lives of male and female saints (Andrew, Guthlac, , ), meditations on the life of himself (Dream of the , the Christ poems), as well as lyric reflections on human loss and earthly transience (Wife's Lament, Wanderer, and Seafarer), and even a collection of learned and bawdy riddles. Alongside this poetry (preserved in four bulky manuscripts copied around the year 1000), there is a huge body of prose literature (sermons, saints' lives, other religious and historical writings, and legal documents) composed by writers such as King Alfred, Abbot Ælfric, and Bishop Wulfstan. In the present course we will read, in modern English translations (and some short samples of the original OE wordcræft), a selection from this rich and varied body of early literature, focusing on poetry, in order to gain insights into the history, culture, religion, and artistic achievements of this remote ancestor of Modern English.

Learning Goals include :- 1. acquire knowledge and appreciation of the course's listed selection of Old English texts; 2. explain their narrative structures and/or patterns of thought and imagery, and frames of reference; 3. recognize the differences and similarities between OE secular and religious poetry, and the differing cultures and values they represent ; 4. understand the Christian concepts and symbols important for appreciation of the Old English texts; 5. explain some of the strategies involved in adapting an originally oral, pagan secular poetics to the reinterpretation of Christian scripture and culture; 6. develop awareness of relevant historical and biblical contexts; 7. research and study secondary sources to engage with some modern critical approaches to Old .

Requirements:- --- regular attendance (one "free" absence only) and participation, informally and formally (occasional oral reports) 20% --- weekly journal entries (300-400 words), responding to assigned readings: 20% --- midterm exam: in-class quiz; take-home short essays: 20% --- final exam: short essay (3 pp.): 20% --- short term-paper (5-6 pp.): 20%

REQUIRED TEXTS (no substitutes) :- Bradley, S. A. J. Anglo-Saxon Poetry (Everyman Paperback);. $12.50 ISBN#: 0460875078. [This contains most of OE poetry in one fat anthology, but the translation is all in prose; although Bradley's translations are pretty accurate, you still miss a lot of the original. So you are encouraged to sample some of the many attempts at verse renderings of the poems we will be reading (a couple are in Liuzza). Liuzza, Roy. Beowulf (Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press) ISBN: 1551111896. $14.95. [Contains not only a good, accurate verse rendering of the epic poem, but also additional texts & documents, including Widsith. part of Grettir's Saga; Finnsburg Fragment; ] PLUS other texts that will be available electronically in Blackboard as pdf's, Word docs, or html files.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF READINGS (except where otherwise indicated readings are from Bradley, Anglo-Saxon Poetry). Jan 30. Introduction: Who were the "Anglo-" and what is "Old English"? (read after class some documents in Blackboard: first folder in Course Documents). Feb 6. Fragments of the Heroic Age: Widsith [see also Liuzza p. 164], Deor, Waldhere, Finnsburg; Wife's Lament, Husband's Message; The Wanderer, . Criticism: Godden & Lapidge ch. 5 & 10 (Roberta Frank on "Germanic Legend" and Christine Fell, "Perceptions of Transience) FEB 13 HOLIDAY FEB. 21 (TUESDAY CLASS, not Monday): Recreating the Heroic Age: Beowulf, and Grettir's Saga Feb. 27 Beowulf (cont.), in performance and on film. March 5 History of the conversion: 's account (Gregory's angels; Ethelbert of Kent; Edwin of Northumberland; Oswald & Aidan; miracle stories of Cuthbert, Etheldreda; Hild and Caedmon): selections from the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, all in Medieval Sourcebook online at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book1.html March 12: Reinventing the Germanic "self" or "subject": Vainglory (Liuzza p. 209); Seafarer; Judgement Day II; II. March 19: Rewriting Old Testament Scripture I. Genesis A (selections) & Genesis B . Midterm quiz; take-home due. March 26 Rewriting O. T. Scripture, II Exodus & Judith April 2 Meditations on New Testament themes: , II, III; Descent into Criticism: Godden & Lapidge, ch. 13 (Barbara Raw, "Biblical Literature ...") APRIL 9 HOLIDAY April 16 Christian Heroes: Male and Female Martyrs: ; Juliana Criticism: Godden & Lapidge, ch. 14 (Lapidge, "Saintly Life ...") April 23 The Triumph of the Cross: Violence and Sanctifying Power: ; Elene + Ælfric's Homily on the 'Invention' of the Cross (Blackboard). April 30 More Christian Heroes, Extending the Frontier: Guthlac A & B + Ælfric's Homily on the Feast of Saint Benedict (Blackboard) May 7 Dealing with the : Brunanburh; ; Ælfric's Legend of Saint Edmund (Liuzza, p. 202), Wulfstan's Sermo Lupi (Liuzza, p.196) May 14 Wisdom and Allegory: Gnomic Poetry, Riddles; Phoenix; some A-S influences on modern literature ... term-paper due

Some no-no's: interrupting class by arriving late, leaving the room --- for bathroom visits or messaging --- except during the break; plagiarism on any written assignments.