Maxims in Old English PoetryBoydell & Brewer, 1999 - 205 pages Maxims abound in Old English literature, but have rarely been studied extensively, and many questions remain about their use: what kind of expression is a maxim? Why and when were they used? Do they offer evidence for popular, pagan folklore? This book aims to offer answers through a detailed investigation of various issues, texts and formulas, leading to a better understanding of Old English literature in general. It takes account of comparable material in other Old Germanic languages and the Bible, and shows that maxims had recognisable functions in literary and social discourse, recording knowledge and according value. Dr Cavill also applies new developments in current scholarship on formulaic theory, proverb performance theory and sociology of knowledge; sheds new light on popular poems like The Battle of Maldon and Beowulf; and suggests a place and purpose for the Maxims poems in an oral society. Dr PAUL CAVILLteaches at the University of Nottingham. |
Contents
I | 17 |
Maxims in the Old Germanic Languages | 25 |
Definitions | 41 |
The Maxim the Proverb and the Riddle | 60 |
A Gnomic Formula | 82 |
The Social Function of Maxims and The Battle of Maldon | 106 |
Christian or Not? | 132 |
The Old English Maxims | 156 |
Bibliography | 187 |
Common terms and phrases
Ælfric ana wat Andreas Anglo-Saxon England audience Battle of Maldon Beowulf biblical bið Byrhtnoth Byrhtwold catalogue Chapter Christian Clarendon Press context death Durham Proverbs eadig emphasis English Studies eorl eschatological example Exeter Book expression fact fitt folc Folklore formula function generalisation Germanic give gnomes gnomes and maxims Hávamál Heliand heroic Homilies Hrafnkell human judgement knowledge Larrington Latin lines London Lord mæg Maxims poems metaphorical Metrical narrative Neophilologus Norse Old English Literature Old English Maxims Old English Poetry Old Saxon Oxford University Press pagan parallel passage pattern poet poetic prose proverb Psalm reference relation repr Reykjavík rhetorical riddles Rune Poem Saga sceal sense sententious Shippey situation social society Solomon and Saturn sources structure suggests T. A. Shippey things tion tradition translation verb verse vikings warriors Wife's Lament wisdom literature words world view Wulfstan wyrd þæs þæt þam þat þonne