1. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry
The first English poetic form

2. I. Person to person Began life in the oral tradition
Recited by wandering bards called scops

3. II. Poetic Form No rhyme Strong rhythm 1. Four beats per line
2. Each line divided in half
a. two beats in each half
b. line divided by a caesura
caesura = strong pause

4. II. Poetic Form (cont’d)
C. Alliteration
1. Repetition of initial consonant sounds
2. Used to bind the two halves together
How?
One or more of the accented syllables in the first half must alliterate with an accented syllable in the second half

5. Let’s look at an example
Remember this nursery rhyme?
Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he.
He called for his pipe,
And he called for his bowl,
And he called for his fiddlers three.

6. Let’s look at an example
Here’s how the Anglo-Saxons would do it:
Cole was the King; he was keen and merry;
Mirthful he was, with minstrels in mead-hall.
He called for his cup; he called for his pipe.
His fiddlers were three, and fine was their trilling.

7. Let’s look at an example
And the real thing:

8. III. Another Literary Device
Kenning
A Kenning is metaphorical phrase
or compound word
used instead of the name of a person or thing.
For example: Grendel is the “shepherd of evil.” Can you find more?