Anglo Saxon poetry has long intrigued poets, academics and literature lovers alike. But why does such a historic and rich literary genre remain so little-known? There’s an old Anglo Saxon adage that goes, “Literary genres are like rivers, they dry up and disappear if they fail to bring life to the people.” Perhaps this is why so few poems of the Anglo Saxon period have survived over the centuries – they simply have not had the appeal or staying power of other literary forms.
The origins of Anglo Saxon poetry lie in the lyrics and epic poems first composed during the Early Medieval period, when the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain. According to most respected sources, these poems were written in Old English, a dialect which was almost incomprehensible to modern readers. Old English works were vivid and powerful, but often hard to comprehend. This meant that only educated scholars could truly appreciate and understand their value.
The two main genres of Anglo Saxon poetry were known as ‘Beowulf’ and ‘The Battle of Maldon’. Beowulf is an epic poem composed around the 8th century and is considered to be one of the oldest surviving great works in the English language. It tells a story of a hero’s struggles and eventual victory over a monster. Although Beowulf is admired for its lyrical power, few works of its kind have survived to this day.
The Battle of Maldon is a poem written in honour of a disastrous Anglo Saxon battle fought in 991. It is written in elegiac couplets and details the heroic actions of a group of Anglo Saxons who fought against an army of Vikings. Many experts consider this poem to be the greatest surviving example of Anglo Saxon poetry.
There are also a number of other surviving Anglo Saxon poems, such as ‘The Wanderer’, ‘The Seafarer’ and ‘The Dream of the Rood’. These works were composed at a time when the Anglo Saxon language was still relatively new and the concepts of poetic style and structure had yet to be developed.
One of the main reasons why so few pieces of Anglo Saxon poetry have survived is due to age and the lack of suitable preservation methods. In addition, the majority of literary works of this period were passed down orally, rather than through written texts, and were therefore prone to change and distortion as they were repeated.
The lack of technical and literary advancements during the Anglo Saxon period has also contributed to the scarcity of survivals. For example, sophisticated poetic devices, such as alliteration, metaphors and similes, were not widely used and the works of the period lacked the level of complexity and detail found in works of later eras.
Literary Context
To fully appreciate the context of Anglo Saxon poetry, one needs only look at the works of later medieval and Renaissance authors. These authors have extensively explored themes of love, patriotism and spirituality, as well as employing a wide range of poetic techniques. By comparison, the themes and techniques of earlier Anglo Saxon poetry seem crude and simplistic.
The works of Chaucer, Shakespeare and other renowned authors have survived the test of time thanks to their innovative use of language and striking themes. By contrast, the characters and themes of Anglo Saxon works are often too remote and extraordinary to capture the imagination of modern readers.
Another factor which may have contributed to the lack of surviving Anglo Saxon poetry is the lack of suitable recording and preservation methods at the time. Due to the lack of widespread education and literacy, many of these works were left in the hands of monks and clerics, who had limited access to suitable Latin texts, and were therefore at risk of damage or destruction.
Cultural Impact
Although the surviving poems of the Anglo Saxon period are few, they still manage to captivate modern readers with their vivid characters, powerful themes and remarkable image. For example, Beowulf is renowned for its hauntingly heroic descriptions of courage and honour, while The Dream of the Rood is admired for its vivid evocation of the crucifixion.
The influence of Anglo Saxon poetry can still be seen in the works of modern authors. Writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling have been heavily influenced by the lyrical and imagistic language of the Old English poems. These authors have also used the themes and characters of Anglo Saxon works to create their own unique stories.
In addition, many modern musicians and composers have also been influenced by Anglo Saxon works. For example, the rock band Led Zeppelin were heavily influenced by the recurrent theme of struggle and courage found in Beowulf when composing their classic hit, ‘Stairway to Heaven’.
Relevance to Contemporary Times
In our digital age, the relevance of Anglo Saxon poetry can still be appreciated. Today, these poems have been made available to a wider audience due to the increased accessibility of electronic texts. This has opened up the opportunity to study and appreciate the works of the Anglo Saxon period, which were once the preserve of only a select few academics.
The works of the Anglo Saxon period were once seen as archaic, but their relevance and power can still be felt in our modern world. These poems provide readers with a unique insight into the past, challenging outdated stereotypes and allowing us to appreciate the works of our forebears.
Literature Adaptions
Recently, there have been numerous attempts to adapt the works of the Anglo Saxon period for a modern audience. For example, the English poet Seamus Heaney successfully translated the 3,182 lines of Beowulf from its original Old English into a contemporary English prose.
Directors such as Peter Jackson and Guy Ritchie have also attempted to bring these ancient works to life in blockbuster movies such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’. While these adaptations inevitably simplify some parts of the works, they remain remarkable tributes to the literature and cultural significance of the Anglo Saxon period.
Conclusion
It can be argued that much of the appeal and power of Anglo Saxon literature has been lost to the pages of history. Nevertheless, the works of this period still remain an important part of our literary heritage, with their vivid imagery, dynamic characters and captivating themes. Education and appreciation of these works is the key to ensure they are remembered and valued in future generations.
