Asses the Contribution of Alfred, Aelfric, Wulfstan to Old English Prose.

Contribution of Alfred, Aelfric, Wulfstan to Old English Prose:

    There were few prose writings before the time of Alfred, the king of Wesex. He was the pioneer among the Anglo-Saxon prose writers. As Chaucer is called the father of English poetry and Spenser the poets poet, so is Alfred reccognised the father of English prose. Literary prose didn't begin until the 9th century when Alfred attempted to bring back to his kingdom her lost learning. The miserable condition of English learning was largely the depredations of the Danes. Even the knowledge of Latin was declining and the king attempted to educate the clergy so that they can translate the popular books like theology, history, philosophy etc. into English. And these books are his contribution to English literature. In fact, he tried to revive learning. Sometimes he translated word for word, at times freely. But those passages have great value both for the understanding the character of the king and the literary quality of his prose works. His five important translations are The Pastoral Care of Pope Gregory, The History of The World of Orosius, Bede's Ecclesiastical History, Baethius, Consolation of Philosophy, The Soliloquies of St. Augustin.

Discuss the Pagan and Christian Element in "Beowulf".

    The Anglo-Saxon literature before the advent of Christianity in England was Pagan or secular. Beowulf bears testimony that it is the work of a Pagan poet which was modified by a Christian monk. The heroic qualities of pre Christian Germanic culture are mingled with Anglo-Saxon Christianity. In other words the Pagan and Christian elements came together in Beowulf.

Consider "Beowulf" as a Store House of Teutonic Culture.

Beowulf as a Store House of Teutonic Culture:

    Hrothgar was the king of Danes. He built a great hall named Heorot for feasting and distributing gifts. But a monster disturbed by the sound of the fasting attacked the hall and killed the men sleeping there for long twelve years such acts of killing continued. No one dared to resist the monster. Beowulf, the nephew of Hygelec who was the king of Geats decides to come to rescue the kingdom of Hrothgar. He was greatly welcomed by the people of Danes. He has come to fight with Grandel, the monster. As usual the man went to sleep leaving Beowulf and his people in the hall Grandel opened the door and killed Beowulf's men. Grandel caught hold of Beowulf and Beowulf showed his great physical strength fighting with the monster. Beowulf was able to tear off a hand of Grandel. The monster fled off to the sea cave and died. The victory of Beowulf was celebrated.

Write a Note on Old English Poetry.

Old English literature dates back to heroic age in the past when warriors were more heroic and kings were kings. The Christian heroism The Dream of Rood redirected the old Pagan heroism which can be seen in fragments of Germanic heroic poetry. The early pomes like Waldere, Finnsburh etc are dramatic fragments which are also shown in Beowulf these poems recall the time before the Angles came to Britain in 5th century. The minstrel poems like Widsith and Deor are also important. Widsith means far traveler who lists the name of tribes and their rulers. Deor is a scope who lost his position to console himself.

Trace the Beginning of the Historical Background of Old English Literature.

England is an island nation of the Northern coast of Europe. The cliffs at Dover were the first of Britain seen by early incomers and have become a familiar symbol of England. To quote Arnold-

"The cliffs of England stand

Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay."

Give an account of old English Christian Poetry.

The Anglo-Saxon literature or old English Literature can be broadly divided into two groups-Pagan and Christian. The Anglo-Saxon settlers brought with them some poems which are of Pagan origin. Later on they were coloured by Christian doctrine and morality. Thus there was a blend of Pagan and Christian sentiment in them. Among the Pagan poems the most prominent is Beowulf. There were other poems like Widsith, The Fight of Finnibur, The Battle of Maldon. There were some elegies like The Wanderer, Deor, The Sea Farer, The Wife's Complained the Ruin etc. These poems came from Pagan tradition but some of them had Christian sentiment. They presented a bleak and somber world. As a result a sense of melancholia pervades all these poems.