Anglo-Saxon Lyric Poetry

1
Anglo-Saxon Lyric Poetry

• The Seafarer
• The Wanderer
• The Wifes Lament
• All three poems come
• from the Exeter Book.

2
Common Elements - Kennings

• They use kennings, which are descriptive phrases
  to replace a noun, such as heavens candle for
  the sun.
• First my lord went out away from his people over
  the wave-tumult (sea).
• The Wifes Lament

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Common Elements - Themes

• All three lyric poems deal with tests of courage.
• All three lyric poems reflect the uncertainty of
  life in the Anglo-Saxon period.
• All three speakers suffer from extreme loneliness
  and struggle against the odds to keep their
  spirits alive.

4
The Seafarer

• Kennings in place of simple nouns.
• Details to enable visualization (imagery).
• Moods clearly defined by description.
• Alliteration gives poem rhythm.
• Inconsistent ending.

5
The Wanderer

• Kennings in place of simple nouns.
• Details to enable visualization (imagery).
• Moods clearly defined by description.
• Alliteration gives poem rhythm.
• Inconsistent ending.

6
The Wifes Lament

• Caesuras (pause in middle of lines) gives poem a
  sense of sadness and weariness.
• Kennings in place of simple nouns.
• Details to enable visualization (imagery).
• Moods clearly defined by description.
• Alliteration gives poem rhythm.

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Assignment Package Anglo-Saxon Lyric Poetry

• As you begin the reading assignment, keep in mind
  the themes of loneliness, hardship and isolation.
  Do the poems fit these themes?
• Identify kennings.
• Identify alliteration and caesuras.
• Identify and define vocabulary from the poems.

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Anglo-Saxon Lyric Poetry Review

• Please record the following questions, and answer
  in complete sentences.

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The Seafarer

• What is the theme (poets main point) of this
  poem?
• In the speakers opinion, what is the difference
  between life at sea and life on land?
• Describe the speakers relationship to the sea.
  How does he feel about it?
• What affect does the lure of the sea have on
  the speaker?

10
The Wanderer

• Why is the speaker in this poem considered to be
  a lonely traveler?
• Why does the speaker live in exile?
• What is the speakers view on those who have
  wisdom?

11
The Wifes Lament

• How did the speaker become separated from her
  husband?
• How does the speaker feel about this separation?
• Why did the speaker move to the den in the
  earth?

12
The Norse Raiders Video

• From which countries did the Vikings originate?
• What were the causes of the Vikings expansion
  from their homelands?
• How did they treat their victims?
• How far did they explore in the Atlantic and in
  the Mediterranean?
• Describe the Viking religion.