"Caedmon's Hymn" and the Alike: A Journey in Time

[ofcatslives]

I was wonderfully surprised on Monday morning to learn that we would be discussing Caedmon's Hymn afterall. Thank you Professor Kuin for fulfilling my request. I must also thank Dr. Janet Ritch, a former humanities professor of mine who shared her immense knowledge in Medieval history and literature and lead me to an appreciation of literature in

Comments

[meag_o]

Janice-

that was a very thorough post! :) What I really like about Old English is the compounded words, like, earth-kingdom and world-joy. It's an entirely different manner of conveying meaning, that I find very beautiful in it's simplicity.

[ofcatslives]

Thank you for mentioning that, I don't know how I could have forgot about kennings! They are wonderful ways of conveying meaning in less obvious but entirely entertaining ways. I particularly like "whale-road" as the sea is called in Beowolf, which we will be reading shortly in the course.

Thanks again,
Janice

[anonymous]

HI SORRY THAT WAS TOO MUCH TO READ SO ILL JUST SAY, GOOD POST!@!#%@$%#@

E for EFFORT@$#@%^#%^

[ofcatslives]

Thanks? But, who are you?

Janice

[may_posa1]

Nice post, once again,
Um the problem is I never have anything to say on your posts, they are so to-the-point and such. I dont think I was questioned about the work, so alas I will just say that your example was one I enjoyed, where did you find it? Did you just stumble upon "The Wife's Lament" on the net or did you hear it from a friend? Either way a great example and one that I actually liked, which is rare. When I first looked at the original version I did sigh, I am one of those people whop cringe at old english, the only time I like it is when someone reads it to me, like the professor did in class, I find myself to drone on. Anyways I am looking forward to Lewis Carrol tomorrow, I love him so.
"I'm late, I'm late, for a very inportant date, no time to say hello, goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late"-White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland
P.S.-The mushroom makes you bigger, listen to the catterpillar

[ofcatslives]

I'm sorry I have alienated you with my posts, but I do always enjoy your comments. So, please continue to comment as I appreciate your interest. I discovered "The Wife's Lament" in Dr. Ritch's class, "Medieval and Renaissance Europe". I also studied it in an English course, "English Literary History" taught by James Carley, another amazing teacher. In Professor Carley's class I also did a seminar report on "The Wife's Lament", which was quite unfortunately far too indepth and I was cut off after 30 minutes! Nonetheless I did very well and I developed quite a love for the poem, its many possible interpretations and the idea that it may even have been written by a woman!

Janice

[tricia_stewart]

Hi Janice, again I must say that your post was wonderful. I love how you teach us something new while at the same time keep our attention. Are you considering being a teacher because I believe that you would be wonderful at it :) I find I must agree with you about reading old english poetry outloud. In fact, I wish that we could revert just a little, back to when everything was told orally. I think we should still write thengs down but there's a magic that comes with speaking words that were written years ago. I think that's why bed time stories as well as those told around the camp fire are so popular. But sadly, it appears to be something that leaves us as we grow older, the sense of wonder and the longing for a tale. Luckily, I still retain that longing and that as well as the alien yet beautiful sound of old english falling from someone's lips, is why I agree wholeheartely with you.
-Tricia

[ofcatslives]

Hello Tricia, I cannot thank you enough for your kind words. It truly means a lot to me that you think I would be a wonderful teacher, because I do indeed intend on becoming one. It has been my life's passion and I ache for the day when I can stand before a group of angst-ridden teenagers and make English, as a subject, fun again.

I am pleased that you agree with my thoughts on the oral tradition. I feel it is so important for capturing the attention of readers and expressing fully all the intended aspects of the poem, including stresses, rhythm and even rhyme sounds better aloud. A good example of this is when Professor Kuin is reciting poems in lecture, no one can seem to take their eyes off of him, it appears to be a combination of his accent, facial expressions and of course the poem itself.

I am glad you have retained your sense of wonder, it is a delightful, child-like characteristic. I am not so sure I have it. I should look for it.

Janice

[roger_kuin]

Excellent post, Janice. I wonder about the link with Crawford, though. The poem you quote is so much more Tennyson-y -- all Victorian and rich and romantic and full of adjectives and velvety. Compare that to the Wife's Lament, even in translation: tough, spare, bony.
Language point: the possessive of "it" is its. not it's (which means "it is").