Old English (about A.D.) The Language and the Literature

Three Periods of English Language Development Old English – A.D. Old English – A.D. Middle English – A.D. Middle English – A.D. Modern English – 1500-present Modern English – 1500-present

The Celts Came to England during the Bronze Age Came to England during the Bronze Age Spoke Gaelic (Ireland) and Brythonic (Britain) Spoke Gaelic (Ireland) and Brythonic (Britain) Druids were priests who memorized and recited long heroic poems – oral tradition Druids were priests who memorized and recited long heroic poems – oral tradition

Romans in England Julius Caesar invaded England and succeeded in gaining minimal control of the southeast in 55 BC Julius Caesar invaded England and succeeded in gaining minimal control of the southeast in 55 BC 300+ years of Roman rule 300+ years of Roman rule Established highways and roadways Established highways and roadways Roman houses and baths, temples Roman houses and baths, temples Water and heating Water and heating Latin Latin

Germanic Conquest Anglo-Saxons Invasions began around 449 AD Invasions began around 449 AD Jutes (from Jutland or northern Denmark) Angles (from southern Denmark and northern Germany) Saxons (from southern Germany)

Celtic Shut Out Celts/Britons “softened” by Roman rule Celts/Britons “softened” by Roman rule Romans withdrew by 410 AD Romans withdrew by 410 AD Jutes who took over area around London Jutes who took over area around London Saxons settled in Sussex and Wessex (southern coast and midland) Saxons settled in Sussex and Wessex (southern coast and midland) Angles settled along the east coast Angles settled along the east coast

Viking-Danes The Norse and the Danes (Vikings) took to the seas – rising population, limited farmland The Norse and the Danes (Vikings) took to the seas – rising population, limited farmland Plundered monasteries, destroyed manuscripts, stole sacred religious objects Plundered monasteries, destroyed manuscripts, stole sacred religious objects Destroyed communities Destroyed communities Killed villagers Killed villagers Only Wessex was able to fight back effectively Only Wessex was able to fight back effectively

Alfred the Great Wessex throne in 871 Wessex throne in 871 United the clans, resisted the Danes United the clans, resisted the Danes Truce: Saxons rule the south; Danes rule the east and north (Danelaw) Truce: Saxons rule the south; Danes rule the east and north (Danelaw) Peace -- Danish words became part of English vocabulary (i.e. law) Peace -- Danish words became part of English vocabulary (i.e. law)

Norman Conquest William the Conqueror defeated the Anglo- Saxon, Harold in 1066 – The Battle of Hastings William the Conqueror defeated the Anglo- Saxon, Harold in 1066 – The Battle of Hastings End of Old English Period and beginning of Middle English Period End of Old English Period and beginning of Middle English Period England (Anglo-Saxons) ruled by Normans (French) but not eliminated England (Anglo-Saxons) ruled by Normans (French) but not eliminated Feudal system of government Feudal system of government

The Literature Some brought by the Germanic conquerors Some brought by the Germanic conquerors Oral tradition Oral tradition Pagan Pagan Grim view of life Grim view of life Several gods – Woden, Fria, Tiu, Thor Several gods – Woden, Fria, Tiu, Thor Wednesday, Friday, Tuesday, Thursday Wednesday, Friday, Tuesday, Thursday Fate (wyrd) Fate (wyrd) Reintroduction of Christianity – 6 th century Reintroduction of Christianity – 6 th century

Literary Performance Sung by scops Sung by scops Ceremonial occasion Ceremonial occasion Possibly accompanied by a harp Possibly accompanied by a harp Caesura (repetitive pauses) Caesura (repetitive pauses) Alliteration (repetitive sounds) Alliteration (repetitive sounds) Kenning (compound noun) Kenning (compound noun)

Beowulf Considered the greatest single work of Old English literature Considered the greatest single work of Old English literature 3,000-line folk epic 3,000-line folk epic Hero Hero Social conditions Social conditions Germanic motives/ideals Germanic motives/ideals

Beowulf as a record Physical endurance Physical endurance Unflinching courage Unflinching courage Sense of duty Sense of duty Loyalty Loyalty Honor Honor “Sorrow not... Better is it for every man that he avenge his friend than that he mourn greatly. Each of us must abide the end of this world’s life; let him who may, work mighty deeds ere he die, for afterwards, when he lies lifeless, that is best for the warrior.”

Other Old English Literature War and exile War and exile Sea and its hardships/fascination Sea and its hardships/fascination Ruined cities Ruined cities Minstrel life Minstrel life Christian subjects Christian subjects “Widsith” “Widsith” “Deor” “Deor” “The Wanderer” “The Wanderer” “The Seafarer” “The Seafarer” “The Ruin” “The Ruin” “Battle of Brunanburh” “Battle of Brunanburh” “Battle of Maldon” “Battle of Maldon” “Juliana” “Juliana” “Elene” “Elene” “Christ” “Christ”

Verse Vs. Prose Verse is more easily remembered – oral tradition Verse is more easily remembered – oral tradition Alfred the Great ( ) encouraged education Alfred the Great ( ) encouraged education Had books translated from Latin to English Had books translated from Latin to English Pastoral Care Pastoral Care Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People The Consolation of Philosophy The Consolation of Philosophy Sermon to the English Sermon to the English