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As you
begin to memorize Old English words, start with closed-class
words. Conjunctions, pronouns, prepositions, and articles are
not numerous. You may want to make a chart for ease:
|
[th]aer
|
1
|
conj
|
there
(adv.) |
|
swa
|
2
|
conj
|
as
(adv.) |
|
aer
|
21
|
conj
|
before
(adv., prep.) |
|
ac
|
56
|
conj
|
but |
|
nu
|
59
|
conj
|
now
(adv.) |
|
o[th][th]e
|
155
|
conj
|
or |
|
gif
|
160
|
conj
|
if |
To which you can
add ond, eac, [th]eah, etc (see MR § 184).
IX.08-10 PDF
versions of (almost) all the texts we are translating this
term will be made available on-line. Here they are in one place:
You can also find
html versions at the
Labyrinth.
IX.08-10 Vocabulary comes
from a word frequency analysis of the Anglo-Saxon
Poetic Records. Click here for
a list of the most
frequently used words in Old English poetry.
IX.08-10 Final
Paper is due by 15 Dec., 2 p.m. Two topics.
Topic One. Translate
and comment on an Old English poem.
Comments include an overview of the major issues in the critical
history of the poem, grammatical commentary, and etymological
commentary.
Topic Two. Describe the major issues in the critical
history of a poem. Then discuss the poem or portions of it
in its literary, social, or historical context.
IX.08-10 Make-up/Substitution
papers for quizzes.You can substitute up to two (2) homework
grades. One paper, one grade. Hand it in when other
people pass in their homework. (If you're sick, this is the
make-up assignment for the homework you miss.)
Each
paper is to be 500-750 words long.
1. Exeter.
Describe the Exeter Book--from object to edition. What does
it look like? How is it put together? What hand is it in? How
many
scribes
wrote
it?
When was it written? Who owned it? Who first edited it? What
are the major editions?
2. Vercelli.
Describe the Vercelli Book--from object to edition. What does
it look like? How is it put together? What hand is it in? How
many scribes wrote it? When was it written? Who owned it? Who
first edited it? What are the major editions?
3. Junius
11.
Describe manuscript Oxford Bodley 5123, Junius 11--from object
to edition. What does it look like? How is it put together?
What hand
is it
in? How
many scribes wrote it? When was it written? Who owned it? Who
first edited it? What are the major editions? 4. Wulf
and Eadwacer. What is lac? What are its various
meanings? How do you know? What implications do each of the
meanings have on the poem as a whole? (Use Bosworth & Toller
or the Dictionary of Old English.)
5. Benedictine
Reform. What was the Benedictine Reform? Who were its
major movers and shakers? What effects did it have on the
English language and on Old English literature?
6. King
Alfred. Which books did King Alfred translate into Old
English? How do we know? Why did he translate them?
7. Ælfric
of Eynsham. Who was Ælfric? What did he write? When did
he live? Provide a brief biography and a list of his major
works.
8. Aldhelm.
Who was Aldhelm? What was his contribution to Anglo-Latin literature?
Provide a brief biography and a list of his major
works.
9. Runes.
What are runes? How do English runes differ from others? Where
did they come from? Where do we find them?
10. Sidonius
Appolinarus. Who is he? What relation does he have with
the Exeter Book? Which manuscripts of his work survive in
Anglo-Saxon England?
11. Saints'
Lives. Who are the Seven Sleepers? Where would an Anglo-Saxon
go to read about them?
12. Old
English poem. Write a five-line Old English poem, in
Old English, using Old English meter.
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