Middle Ages - - (Medieval)
- Time period between collapse of Roman Empire and the Renaissance
- "rebirth of Latin/Greek learning/literature
- flourish of art, literature, science
Medieval English - From Old English, French roots, weak inflection and long vowels
Caedmon's Hymn - - Earliest...
ENG 211-01 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers
Middle Ages - - (Medieval)
- Time period between collapse of Roman Empire and the Renaissance
- "rebirth of Latin/Greek learning/literature
- flourish of art, literature, science
Medieval English - From Old English, French roots, weak inflection and long
vowels
Caedmon's Hymn - - Earliest English poem (CA 731 AD)
- Story of illiterate monastery worker, receives "gift of song", founded Christian
poetry school
- Different because it was not about war/battle
Around what time did Caedmon live? - AD 670
What kind of poet was Caedmon? - oral-formulaic, created poems w/ varying
formulas, influential
What is the origin of speech in Caedmon's tale? - - Caedmon himself
- God/Angel
- Abbess Hilde
- audience
- men's sons
,- monks/community of brothers
- Bede
Venerable Bede - The "ultimate voice" of Caedmon's Hymn, a monk, re-translates
the Hymn into original Latin language
Why are the monks/community of brothers significant in Caedmon's tale? - They
give Caedmon information, inspiration, topics, and talent
Who was Abbess Hilde? - - "A badass!" She gives Caedmon sacred history, the
Bible
- She sends the monks to Caedmon to translate Latin into OE, ultimate changing
biblical prose into poetry
When does St. Augustine of Canterbury convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity?
Why is this significant? - AD 547, it is the basis of the construction of Caedmon's
Hymn and Old English Verse (p. 30-31)
What is Bede trying to get readers to understand? - - He is speaking to other
priests, language is becoming more widespread (even to N. Africa)
- He is saying Caedmon is authorized, emphasizing the hierarchy
- Arguing legitimacy of Caedmon's experience
- Propaganda to spread of Christianity
What are some key points of Caedmon's composition? - - His "miracle" brings
about new ideas
- He learned by listening
- He is sort of a "middle man," and not putting his own spin on the story
, - Has parts to him that are both intellectual and physical (i.e. "clean beast")
ruminates - - Comes from Latin "rumen"
- "Clean beast" like a cow or goat
- Like a type of bodily purification/detox
What are the effects of Caedmon's Hymn? - - Trying to draw people toward God
and Christianity
- The monks (teachers) also become listeners, which creates some sort of equality
in the hierarchy
How is the Secular represented in Caedmon's tale? - - The secular were singing
songs that were specific to them (about heroism, battles). This made Caedmon
uncomfortable as he was embarrassed about his inability to sing like them, thus
causing negative social pressure and bad influence.
- Not totally welcoming/valuing until Caedmon enters the religious
community/receives gift of song
What are some specific details about Caedmon's Hymn itself? - - outside of known
iambic pentameter
- sort of barbaric (one beat, two, one beat, two)
Why is "heaven as a roof" significant in Caedmon's Hymn? - - Security
- Covering and comfort
mead hall - - Central structure of community
- Made to be welcoming, home-y
- Praise to God
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