History is another name for past. Almost thousand of years of there are Anglo- Saxon, from Scandinavia to England. Anglo Saxon was under the Roman Empire, but when Roman Empire was broke up. They asked help German to establish their own country, later it is called England. And they call themselves Great Britain. As long as they settles in England they sprite up to 7 tribes, 7 kings there have been lots of wars. While war is going trough, people have no sure for there life. Naturally their interest is moving to life and death. It is shown very well in their literature. We can divide there literature by Epic poem, elegy, and riddle. At the Anglo Saxon period everything was transfer by mouth by mouth, but long time later it will be written by monks as they transfer their literature by orally it is indicated how their life is changed and what they think.
To begin with, Epic poem is really exciting poem. It is a long poem whose story extends over a long period of time of tells of great events. One of most popular epic poem of Anglo Saxon period is Beowulf. He was desired hero of people and strong and mighty the story tell us that he saved king and country and later be becomes a king himself. In the literature it clearly tell us that how they react to their leader “ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z’ according to the poem it also tells us that even evil creature honor to leader, who is mighty and honorable. I could tell that this period was not peaceful as war has been going on. “ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z ABCDEFG HIJK LMN OP QRSTU VW Y Z” people might wish for hero like Beowulf who will rescue them out of dangerous war. Maybe they want peace of life. As they hope, Beowulf was loved by lot of people that period
Next literature is Elegiac poetry which is solemn poems that lament the transience. Nobody likes to die. People want to live happily eve after, but what if real world never let me? I think that’s why Anglo Saxon has Elegiac poetry because it is indicated that how they concern about the life and death. During the Anglo- Saxon period they are just like chickens that are living for die. Chicken doesn’t know when they are going to die, and when time has come they must die. “The Seafarer” is one of the elegiac poetry. Curiously enough, “the seafarer” has few arguments, because tone of “the seafarer” is suddenly changed. The “It tells/Of smashing surf when I sweated in the cold/ Of an anxious watch, perched in the bow/As it dashed under cliffs(line5~8).” first half of the story is about life is tough. On the sea, he fought him alone with obstacle. “That life born in the love of God/And the hope of Heaven, Praise the Holy/Grace of Him who honored us (line ___~___).” And purpose of second of poem is praising God. Some people say that tone change is caused by monk and other people say that tone change is by original another who is impacted by introduce of Christianity. Matter fact which is true I prefer that it is inserted later first draft of poem is written. After 1649, when Christianity is introduced to Anglo-Saxon they call themselves as a Christian, but actually paganism was too big part of their life. In my opinion, after the first part of poem is done, somebody add the second of poem on purpose because the first of poem is kind of human view of life.
Finally, Riddle is very bright entertainment of Anglo-Saxon. It is a questioning poetry that is usually played by royal people. They boast themselves how they are brilliant and clever as they make and solve the riddle especially in the mead-hall. ………… |