THE ANGLO SAXON LITERATURE (Part - 1) - Kailasha Online Learning LLP

The year 1066 is an important part to be remembered in the History of English literature. This is the year of Norman conquest in the battle of Hastings. Anglo Saxons were the immigrants from the Northern Germany and Southern Scandinavia.

(NOTE: On Dec’ 25th, 1066 William was crowned as the new ruler of England by defeating King Harold in the Battle of Hastings. So this conquest gave birth to the important change in English history which connected England in closer contact with continental Europe and made other influences negligible.)

The Anglo Saxon period is known as the Old English period which is not of much significance in this modern time. It is said to be written in an archaic Germanic language ( Anglo – Saxon). Beowulf is one of the significant poems which is remembered because of its structure and metaphorical representation. This epic historical poem is of three thousand lines.

Let us discuss few features of the poetry of Anglo Saxon period:-

Anglo Saxon poetry is basically written in a blank verse which signifies that there is no ending rhyme. It is typically based on the problems which arise in the religious churches.
There is a use of “Caesura” which means there is a break in the middle of the line of the poem. The Caesura is allowed in the second foot of the line as the poetry is comprised of four feet in each line.
The commonly used poetic devices were Alliteration, metaphorical phrases which made the representation somewhat unique. The poems also provided knowledge based on the life and how to spend it truthfully.

Anglo Saxon poetry covered the period from mid-fifth century to the Norman conquest of the year 1066. Widsith, Beowulf, The flight at Finnsburh, Decor, The Battle of Brunanburh and the Battle of Maldon are some of the heroic poems of the Anglo Saxon period.