Anglo-Saxon Literary Terms

Epic A long narrative poem on a serious subject Written in a grand or elevated style (formal diction, descriptive language) Centered on a larger-than-life, epic HERO

Epic Conventions Themes: the fate of a nation or people; loyalty among hierarchies Large-scale settings (over the sea or across distant lands) Supernatural figures intervene Extended similes (epic similes): explicit comparison of two things, usually with the word "as" or "like" Long catalogues Extensive battle scenes Begins “in medias res”

Catalogue A list of items, often found in poems Beowulf lists the treasures he and his warriors seize

In Media Res Latin term When a story or poem starts “in the middle” of the action

Caesura a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse. Some lines have strong (easily recognizable) caesurae, which usually coincide with punctuation in the line, while others have weak ones.

Kenning a metaphoric, compound phrase substituted for the usual name of a person or thing. Ship = ‘Oar-steed’ Sea = 'sail-road’ In Beowulf, the sea is called the hronrāde or 'whale- road'

Epic Boast A proclamation of things a character, usually the hero, has done or will do in the epic Hero brags about abilities or feats

Archetype An original pattern or model from which all other things of the same kind are made. In literature, archetypes are familiar characters, plots, settings, themes, symbols, etc.

Oral Tradition A process by which songs, ballads, folklore, etc., are transmitted by word of mouth. The tradition of oral transmission predates written print.

Terms Connected to Anglo-Saxon Life

Comitatus Military term An agreement made between a lord and his thanes, in which the thanes swear to defend a lord to their death, while he provides them with protection and a share of his wealth and weapons Prominent theme in Anglo-Saxon lit Loyalty is important

Fate the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as pre-determined by a supernatural power Syn: destiny, providence, serendipity

Thane A warrior or retainer who follows and fights for his lord.

Mead A fermented beverage (alcohol) made of water and honey, malt, and yeast Gatherings/celebrations were held in ‘mead-halls,’ often before or after great battles

Pagan A catch-all term for a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions. Characterized by polytheism and/or worship of nature Anything other than Christian, Jew, or Muslim

Alliteration Repetition of the initial sounds of words, beginning either with a consonant or a vowel; used to accent the beauty of language or reinforce a theme “My soul roams with the sea…wandering to the widest corners of the world…”

Ballad A short poem that tells a simple story and has a repeated refrain. Originally intended to be sung. Folk ballads - early ballads passed down through generations; authors are often unknown. Later ballads composed by known authors are called ‘literary ballads.’

Dream Vision AKA, Dream Allegory.  A literary convention, chiefly of the Middle Ages. In a dream vision, a story is presented as a literal dream of the narrator.

Ecclesiastical Pertaining to the church (especially Christianity) as an organized body of believers and clergy, with a stress on its juridical and institutional structure (laws and organization).

Epithet A word or phrase, often but not always disparaging or abusive, that expresses a character trait of someone or something. “man’s best friend” “Obamacare”

Icon Easily recognizable symbol Often refers to a person Strongly represents an idea of a certain time

Elegy Poem mourning the loss of someone or something

Lament Song or poem expressing grief or regret. Many of the oldest and most lasting poems in history have been laments.  AKA, dirge.

Motif A theme, character type, image, metaphor, or other element that recurs throughout a work of literature The Great Gatsby- repetition of the past; timepieces are a ubiquitous symbol

Narrative A verse or prose accounting of events, real or invented; also used as an adjective, as in "narrative technique“ A story

Scop An Anglo-Saxon poet, bard (writer), or minstrel (musician)