ANGLO-SAXON EXILE POETRY REVIEW

HISTORICAL CONTEXT—EXILE

Because it gives clues about the situation in the time period in which it was written, historical context helps a reader understand why things occur.

Exile: someone forced into exile is forbidden to return to his or her native land.

During the Anglo-Saxon period, many groups of people were sent from their homes. Knowing this helps readers understand why the theme of exile was so important.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT—THE SEA

Britain is an island , surrounded by ocean. Inhabitants had complex relationship with the sea. Throughout British history, the ocean has been both a mighty barrier to strangers, both a gateway to trade and conquests and a scene of terrifying isolation.

The Anglo-Saxons were expert seafarers who sailed the ocean to raid or settle other lands.

The early English regarded the sea as both a protective barrier, and a dangerous, threatening place.

It was not unusual for husbands to leave wife and children to sail across strange seas to unknown lands to establish himself successfully in a foreign country.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT– CULTURE

Man dominated Anglo-Saxon society, and women had few rights.

The mead-hall setting represented the center of human society for the Anglo-Saxons. Gathering in the mead hall, a building dedicated to their feasts, a lord and his warriors would share food, drink, entertainment, and fellowship.

Warrior culture (see next slide)

HISTORICAL CONTEXT—CULTURE

Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by close allegiances between leaders and their followers. reciprocal loyalty between (warrior or kinsmen) and warlord – the

warrior serves his lord in battle and in return, he is rewarded for his courage.

if the warrior's lord were killed in battle, it would be the warrior’s duty to either avenge him or to find his own death in the attempt.

Anglo-Saxon warrior ideal is courage, the duty to win fame in battle even and especially when victory seems impossible.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT– ORAL TRADITION

Most of the poems and stories of the Anglo-Saxon period were passed along by the oral tradition.

Because of the oral tradition, Anglo-Saxon poets (scops-pronounced scopes) held an honored position in society because they preserved heroic deeds in the collective memory. Kennings and caesuras may have helped maintain this tradition. Christian monks served Anglo-Saxon society by fostering learning and

preserving literary works that were once only spoken.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT—BELIEFS

Anglo-Saxon religion encouraged ethics and earthly virtues such as bravery.

A fundamental Anglo-Saxon belief is that human life is shaped by fate (wyrd).

Anglo-Saxon culture included a grim, fatalistic world-view.

Conflicting pagan and Christian beliefs

LITERARY ELEMENTS

Lyric poem-expresses thoughts and feelings of the speaker

Elegy- a lyric poem mourning a loss (a person or place or time)

Anglo-Saxon lyrics (elegies) feature the following devices: Caesuras-pauses Kennings-two-worded renaming (metaphor) Alliteration-repetition of initial consonant sounds Assonance-repetition of vowel sounds These devices connect back to the historical context of the oral

tradition because they provided pauses (caesuras), unique ways to remember (kennings) and rhythm (alliteration and assonance) necessary to recite the poems.

THE SEAFARER

Explores the complicated connection between the people and the sea that was previously mentioned in the historical context section.

“The Seafarer” explores the intense hold of the sea on the speaker’s heart, an enduring theme in the British literary tradition as a mighty force that tests the human spirit.

The lonely seafarer of this poem drifts in icy waters, far from human companionship. Yet though the seafarer “drowns in desolation” at sea, he returns to it again and again. The speaker is not fully at home on land, because he always wants to be at sea, and he is not fully at home at sea, because he feels himself in exile. Ultimately, life itself, no matter where it is spent, is exile because his only true home is heaven.

THE SEAFARER

laments the loss of his lord and home

Vivid references to harsh conditions

Extensive use of alliteration

Is drawn to the sea by adventure despite the hard conditions

Refers to Christian beliefs as well as pagan beliefs in fate

Kennings- wales’ home meaning ocean Summer sentinel meaning the cuckoo Death-noise meaning the sounds of birds Givers of gold meaning a lord

THE SEAFARER

Caesuras Hung with icicles. The hailstorms flew. In the hosts of Heaven . / The days are gone

Assonance: Open ocean, breaking oaths Soul roams

Alliteration Smashing surf when I sweated When wonderful things were worked

THE SEAFARER: HISTORICAL CONTEXT—THE SEA, CULTURE, BELIEFS

Important to understand the complex relationship with the sea

the relationship as a kinsmen with his lord

Accepts fate by realizing the sea will always call him and that he will always follow the call and that he will be exiled until he is in heaven.

The mixing of Pagan and Christian views

THE WANDERER

The wanderer in this poem has experienced the complete collapse of his entire world: His lord has died. That means he has no more purpose, no more friends, no more hopes of enjoying treasures, no one to feast with, and no one’s knee upon which to lay his hand and promise loyalty. He is alone, cast out, left to wander in search of a new lord.

The wanderer expresses a contentment with fate and an appreciation for the wisdom that comes through experience, which are in keeping with Anglo-Saxon values of accepting one’s destiny and proving oneself in acts of courage and bravery.

The wanderer reflects on the passage of time and of all the things and people that have been lost to death and decay.

THE WANDERER

Laments the loss of his lord

Extensive use of caesuras

Kennings are used throughout

Employs two speakers

Expresses Christian beliefs as well as pagan

Vivid images are used to show his isolation and despair

THE WANDERER

Kennings: Gold-lord meaning provider Hall-men meaning comrades

Caesura: “Oft to the wanderer, weary of exile,” “Even in slumber his sorrow assaileth,” “Ever I know the dark of my exile.”

THE WANDERER

Assonance: “gave to the grave’s embrace” “At my sea-weary soul…” “I had few loved ones in this land.”

Alliteration: “wailed my woes” “keeping his counsel and locking his lips Fettered my feelings

THE WANDERER—HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Warrior culture Warriors were dependent on their lords for protection and provisions.

The loss of a master could bring great despair and financial insecurity.

Accepts fate He accepts that his life with his lord an friends is over, and that he will

never find such friends or sense of belonging again

Grim, fatalistic worldview The wanderer realizes that everything earthly is fleeting and seeks

“mercy/ From his heavenly Father.”

THE WIFE’S LAMENT

The speaker of this poem has been sent into exile by her husband. Although she still longs for him, she is bitter and angry about the friendless, lonely, joyless fate she must endure.

Alliteration: “sit the summerlong”

Assonance: “baring with care”

Caesura: “now…as if it never were”

Kennings Wave-tumult meaning stormy sea

THE WIFE’S LAMENT—HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Accepts her fate-she accepts that her husband now hates her and has exiled her, even though she did nothing to deserve it.

Men were dominate Women had few rights and were subject to whatever their fathers,

masters, or husbands demanded.

Anglo-Saxon warrior culture—shows the extent of the bond between kinsmen

Grim, fatalistic worldview The Wife laments her exile and is frustrated by her powerlessness.

WHY ARE THESE ELEGIES

They all mourn the loss of a place, person, or the end of an era and express a sorrowful tone.

THEME

Exile brings intense emotional anguish and lonliness.

Accept your fate.

Life is painful and brief . What matters most is God.

The bond between the lord and his kinsmen is extremely strong.