Introduction:-
- Old English Literature is also called Anglo Saxon Literature.
- Anglo Saxon people inhabited Great Britain from 5th century.
- Early Anglo Saxon period includes in the creation of English nation.
- Anglo Saxon were the dominant group until the Norman conquest happened in 1066 AD.
- Anglo Saxon people came from Germany.
- Jew, Anglo and Saxon inhabited Great Britain in 5th century and brings the roots of Modern English.
- Anglo Saxon people didn't believe in Christianity rather they followed Pegan religion (who doesn't believe in GOD)
- They came with their own religious believe but then the arrival of saint Augustin in 597 converted most of the country into Christianity.
- Anglo Saxon started getting influenced by Christianity in 8th century.
Literary Characteristics:-
- Anglo Saxon/old English language was the foundation of Modern English which was the mixture of Briton and Germanic tribal language.
- Songs and Poetry were very important components of that period/society.
- Poems were conveyed orally. Then they started to appear in written form in 733 AD.
- a very valued member of Anglo Saxon society was a poet or a scop ( who discuss social value in his works)
- Literary works of that period not only talks about ideas of Christianity but also talks about the Germanic heroic past.
- In poetry they used "Caesura"(having a break in the middle of a line).
- They used alliterative verse.
- "Canning" is used. Canning is a literary device which means when we use compound words to denote something or describe indirectly. Ex-"whale road" instead of "sea".
- Anglo Saxon didn't bring prose with them. They brought with them their own poetry because poetry is artistic and we don't require prose until and unless we want to keep records of things.
- Prose developed because of the Christianization of England. To keep the records of the Church and Sermons.
- Saint Augustin brought Christianity and Latin language which enriched old English by giving it capacity to talk about abstract ideas.
