The Old English Poetic Elegy: Origins and Contexts

This 17:30 minute lecturel explains the Indo-European and Germanic migrations that shaped the foundation of Old English society, the syncretism of Germanic and Christian traditions that influenced the development of Old English literature. We also look at the significance of the Exeter Book, one of the most important surviving collections of Old English poetry.

Table of Contents:

00:00 - Introduction
00:02 - Intro and Overview
01:11 - Origins of the English Language
02:41 - English Arrives in Britain
03:56 - Old English Material Culture
05:41 - Early English Society and Culture
08:01 - The Exeter Book
09:30 - Syncretism
11:42 - Old English Poetic Elegy
14:53 - Alliterative and oral-formulaic poetry
15:36 - The Exeter Book Riddles