The Course

For this paper you will read a range of Old English texts - both poetry and prose - in their original language (you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of Old English). The following texts are especially recommended for study: The Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, The Battle of Maldon, Aelfric's life of St. Edmund, Bede's account of the poet Caedmon and two short extracts from Beowulf (the 'Lament of the last survivor' (11.2247-2266) and 'Beowulf's funeral' (11.3156-3182)), all of which are to be found in Mitchell and Robinson's A Guide to Old English. In the three hours examination you will write two essays, and will be able to choose between translating an unseen piece of Old English prose or writing a commentary on one of two passages of verse from the texts listed above. For the commentary you will be asked to comment on aspects of content and style, and to show that you have a good understanding of Old English as a literary language by discussing such poetic devices as occur in the passage (for example, kennings, or variation). Essay questions will be set on specific texts, but you will also be given the opportunity to write on a wider range of Old English literature, and on aspects of Old English history, culture and language, if you wish. With the exception of Beowulf, candidates writing on a text or extract from a text under this paper may not write on the same text under any other Mods paper. In some colleges, preliminary work for this paper may begin in the Michaelmas term, but the bulk of it is likely to be done in the Hilary term, which is when the main lectures will be.

Old English is a straightforward language to learn, and you will find it interesting to note what has survived from then until now - and what hasn't. You will also gain an understanding of a culture different from our own, the study of whose literature raises provocative questions about issues such as authorship, narrative, and poetic personae. Teaching for these two papers generally runs through the year, starting with language working and moving on to literary study. Don't be afraid to say if you find aspects of this difficult - it is often possible to arrange extra help. You might find it useful to try the language laboratory course at the language learning centre in Wellington Square, or the various Old English computer packages available in the Faculty computer room at the St Cross Building.