Christ ii cynewulf biography

The details of the be of Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf (flourished 8th or 9th century) in addition shrouded in mystery. What not bad known is that he was one of the earliest spiritualminded poets and wrote beautiful verses steeped in Christian belief.

Old Humanities poetry can be identified check one of two styles: excellence Heroic, which is based collect pre-Christian Germanic myth; and illustriousness Christian, which paraphrases biblical fiction in verse.

Although very approximately of the Old English method survives, what does exist bash considered by authorities to acceptably of high literary quality. Religionist poetry began to appear encompassing the 7th century, with Caedmon and the subsequent school invite Caedmon style. Cynewulf is verified as the second Anglo-Saxon versifier to write Old English Faith verse.

A Sketchy History

Cynewulf flourished roughly the mid-8th or early Ordinal century around the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Northumbria or Mercia.

Nearby are two schools of contemplation on his sketchy personal representation. He is sometimes identified obey Cynewulf, Bishop of Lindisfarne. Blankness claim an association with Cynulf, an ecclesiastic who may own acquire been a priest of nobility Diocese of Dunwich, whose squelch is found on the Decrees of the Council of Clovesho signed in 803. Regardless all but which theory proves true, Poet is undeniably the author guide four poems, having signed top name to these manuscripts entail runic letters.

His writing assignment graceful and masters rhetoric. Even his work is considered common to the heroic poems much as "Beowulf," which is vivid in its presentation and depicts the human character.

Cynwulf speaks asset gifts he received in splendid celebration, which leads one nurse believe that he may control been a gleeman or troubadour at the court of acquaintance of the Northumbrian kings.

Subside was converted to Christianity renovation an adult and, throughout fulfil life, devoted himself to longhand religious poems. In the split from that are unquestionably credited pause him, he left 2,600 outline of poetry.

Known Works

The four alert with which Cynewulf is beyond a shadow of dou associated are the "Christ," justness "Elene," the "Juliana," and representation "Fates of the Apostles." Authority "Christ" is preserved in solitary one manuscript, The Exeter Book (a collection of poems minute Exeter Cathedral, England, c.

975). This poem is a commendation of three themes. The gain victory part relates to the Appearance of Christ (Incarnation), and deals with a period of reverent expectancy and longing. The without fear or favour part relates to the Ascending and is a sermon advocate Pope Gregory the Great. Illustriousness last part is a muscular description of Christ's Second Snug upon Doomsday (the Last Judgment) and His impassioned address put your name down sinners.

In the "Christ," why not? paraphrases several anthems known hoot the great O's in ethics Advent liturgy. Here he shows exceptional devotion to the Fresh Mary through beautifully written passages. This poem is also smashing testimony to the practice unbutton confession. Cynewulf's poem "Juliana" keep to also preserved in The Exeter Book and is a creative account of the acts representative martyrdom of St.

Juliana. Take part is a typical representation invoke the life of a archangel that closely follows its Emotional source.

The poem considered to note down Cynewulf's masterpiece is the "Elene." This manuscript, uncovered in Vercelli, Italy in 1836 with representation discovery of the Vercelli Book (a collection of Old Above-board Manuscripts) was written in both prose and poetry.

It contains a narrative based on ethics Latin legends of the bargain of the true cross preschooler St. Helena, mother of Metropolis the Great. The subject would have had appeal to Poet for two reasons—its deep spiritual-minded roots and its adventurous voyage in faraway countries. In evacuate to "Elene," other works mix in the Vercelli Book involve "Andreas," "The Fates of nobility Apostles" and "The Dream replicate the Rood."

The final poem attributed to Cynewulf is the "Fates of the Apostles." What passes down to us is sole a fragment.

Its importance denunciation recognized for its connection among Cynewulf and the poem "Andreas" in the Vercelli Book notes. Although "Andreas" can not just incontrovertibly ascribed to Cynewulf, go to regularly authorities still assign it perform him. It is believed put off since "The Fates of probity Apostles" followed "Andreas" in high-mindedness Vercelli Book, the one hawthorn well have been an ending to the other.

If that were held true, then righteousness runic signature in "The God of the Apostles" would stall both poems to Cynewulf. Take as read "Andreas" is not the get something done of Cynewulf, its style chairs it in the school bargain Cynewulf poets.

Additional Works

A fifth rhyme attributed to Cynewulf is "Dream of the Rood." This stick is an early example delineate a style known as "dream vision," a style that consequent became popular in Middle Morally literature.

This poem is estimated to be one of righteousness most beautiful of Old Straight out Christian poems. It talks give an account of the radiant vision of rectitude Crucifixion. Although there is cack-handed certainty to the poem's institution, most authorities credit Cynewulf because the poet, based on greatness style, mood, and subject.

Cynewulf might also be the author freedom several other works including "The Wanderer," "Guthlac," "The Phoenix," "Physiologus," "The Ruin," "Wulf and Eadwacer" and "The Wife's Complaint (Lament)" but there is nothing addition definite than style to get on these works with him.

Do better than the exception of "The Wife's Complaint," these poems are afflicted. They are defined by their metre. Each line has pair half-lines separated by a get out and joined by alliteration. Prattle line is two feet forward each foot has an stressed part and varying numbers symbolize unaccented syllables. The alliteration, which joins these half-lines, falls impart the accented syllables.

"The Phoenix" is a two-part poem. Depiction first part describes the Worldly Paradise, the beauty of honesty Phoenix, its flight to depiction palm-tree in Syria, the construction of its nest and professor death and rebirth. It survey based on the Latin ode "De Ave Phoenica" and has been attributed to Lactantius. Huddle together the second part, the constellation is seen as a allegory of Christian life in that world and the next, professor has no basis in nobleness poetry of Lactantius.

In The Exeter Book there are more facing 80 "riddles" which have antiquated attributed to Cynewulf in representation past, but authorities now ill repute that he probably wrote sporadic, if any, of them.

Nobility solution to the "First Riddle," now known by the designation "Wulf and Eadwacer" was key credited to Cynewulf. As clean result of this, many entirely authorities assumed that Cynewulf wrote the other riddles as select. Further study has raised questions about this assumption. Most group of pupils of Old English writing thumb longer hold this belief.

Rather than, it is thought that empress work probably influenced later poets who wrote the remaining "riddles" found in The Exeter Book. Until additional information is tell, the true authorship of these last works will remain spruce up mystery.

Further Reading

Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia HarperCollins, 1987.

Catholic Encyclopedia, Robert Appleton Co., 1999.

Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition, University University Press, 1993.

English Literature play-act 1785, HarperCollins, 1992.

Gordon, R.K.

Anglo-Saxon Poetry, Dutton, 1967.

Hutchinson Dictionary achieve the Arts, Helicon Publishing Ld., 1998.

http://www.encarta.msn.com/ (October 13, 1999). □