What were the literary features of
old English period?
Ans. (i) Pagan origin:
Old English literature has its origin in Pagan.
Many of the poems were associated with the Pagan past in particular
Widsith or Beowulf. The earliest English poems or themes have also their origin
in the continental home of the English people. As time went on, Christian idea
influenced the earlier Pagan. But the Pagan phrases remain.
(ii)
Anonymous origin: Old English poets have direct reference
to some anonymous origin. For example, Caedmon and Cynewulf are two anonymous
poets mentioned to have written poems.
(
ii) Imitative quality: Much of the prose and some of the
poetry is translated or adopted from Latin. The favorite works for translation
were the books of the Bible, the lives of saints and various works of practical
nature.
(iv)
The manuscripts: It is certain that, only a portion of
old English poetry has survived. The manuscript in which poetry is preserved
are late in date and are four in number. They are the Beowulf, the Junius, the
Exeter Book, the Vercelli Book.
In fact, old English
had oral origins and conventions. But it would be a mistake to think that oral
poetry would be inartistic. The Germanic oral poetry survived at the end of
Roman Empire. Oral poetry was an art which evolved over generation. It was an
art of memorable speech. At times it dealt with heroic and narrative themes. It
seems that the first English poetry resembles Homeric poetry. As classical
literature begins with Homer's epic so does early English literature begin with
Beowulf. The orally composed poetry of the Anglo-Saxon was an established art.
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