The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory defines riddles as an ancient and universal form of literature commonly consisting of a puzzle question. There are collections of riddles in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Greek and Latin literature. Well-known is the sphinx as riddling beast in Grecian mythology and literature. Western riddles collections begin with the Latin collections by Symphosius in the late antiquity followed by Aldhelm’s and Tatwine’s collections. The earliest known English riddles are recorded in the Exeter Book. They originate from the 10th century. These riddles have a very special character. Craig Williamson describes them as “a metaphoric and metamorphic celebration of the life in the eye of the Anglo-Saxon.”
The Exeter Riddles will be topic to this paper. First their history and transmission will the thematised by having a closer look at the Exeter Cathedral, its library and the Exeter Book. Then typical features of the riddles shall be discussed. Afterwards an example will illustrate these.
Outline:
1.Introduction
2.The Exeter Cathedral
3.The Exeter Book
4.The Exeter Book Riddles
5.Riddle Nr.33
6.Sources
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Exeter Cathedral
3. The Exeter Book
4. The Exeter Book Riddles
5. Riddle Nr.33
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the history, transmission, and thematic characteristics of the Exeter Book Riddles, providing an analytical overview of their literary significance within Old English literature.
- Historical context of the Exeter Cathedral and the preservation of the Exeter Book.
- Structural and thematic features common to the Anglo-Saxon riddle tradition.
- The relationship between Latin riddle collections and the Old English vernacular.
- Detailed analysis of Riddle Nr. 33 as a representative case study.
Excerpt from the Book
5. Riddle Nr. 33
Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlicu liþan, cymlic from ceole cleopode to londe, hlinsade hlude; hleahtor wæs gryrelic, egesful on earde, ecge wæron scearpe. Wæs hio hetegrim, hilde to sæne, biter beadoweorca; bordweallas grof, heardhiþende. Heterune bond, sægde searocræftig ymb hyre sylfre gesceaft: "Is min modor mægða cynnes þæs deorestan, þæt is dohtor min eacen up liden, swa þæt is ældum cuþ, firum on folce, þæt seo on foldan sceal on ealra londa gehwam lissum stondan.
(A thing came marvellously moving over the waves, comely from the keel up. It called out to the land, loudly resounding. Its laughter was horrible, awful in its place. Its edges were sharp; hateful it was, and sluggish to battle, bitter in its hostile deeds. It dug into shield-walls, hard, ravaging. It spread mischievous spells. It spoke with cunning craft about its creation: “Dearest of women is indeed my mother; she is my daughter grown big and strong. It is known to men of old, among all people, that she shall stand up beautifully everywhere in the world.”)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the general concept of riddles as a universal literary form and introduces the scope of the paper regarding the Exeter Book.
2. The Exeter Cathedral: This section details the historical background of the Exeter Cathedral, its library, and the preservation of its medieval manuscripts.
3. The Exeter Book: This chapter provides an overview of the Exeter Book as a primary collection of Old English literature, discussing its origins, physical state, and content.
4. The Exeter Book Riddles: This part explores the stylistic features, thematic diversity, and the debated authorship of the riddle collection.
5. Riddle Nr.33: This chapter presents a specific analysis of Riddle Nr. 33, illustrating how it embodies the typical characteristics and literary devices of the Exeter Riddles.
Keywords
Exeter Book, Old English Literature, Riddles, Anglo-Saxon, Manuscript, Riddle Nr. 33, Vernacular, Literary Tradition, Latin Influence, Poetry, Medieval Studies, Oral Tradition, Cynewulf, Natural History, Iceberg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the Exeter Book, specifically its collection of riddles, exploring their history, characteristics, and their place within the Old English literary tradition.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The text covers the historical preservation of the manuscript at Exeter Cathedral, the structural characteristics of Old English riddles, and the thematic interests in nature and human life.
What is the research goal of this work?
The goal is to provide an analysis of the Exeter Book Riddles by examining their history, transmission, and typical features through a representative example.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The study employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing historical context and comparative research to interpret the riddles within their contemporary and Latin-influenced contexts.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body addresses the history of the Exeter Cathedral, the physical attributes of the Exeter Book, the categorization of the riddles, and a detailed breakdown of Riddle Nr. 33.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Exeter Book, Old English Literature, Anglo-Saxon, Vernacular poetry, and the riddle tradition.
How did the physical condition of the Exeter Book affect the study of its riddles?
The damage to the manuscript, particularly the burns and missing pages, makes it impossible to determine the exact original number of riddles, though it is estimated to have been around 100.
Why is Riddle Nr. 33 considered a representative example?
It contains the most common elements of the collection, including a formulaic opening, a detailed description of the subject, and the use of natural cycles to create a vivid image.
How is the authorship of the riddles currently viewed?
The authorship remains unclear; while 19th-century scholars once attributed them to Cynewulf, modern scholars generally reject this in favor of a diverse, possibly traditional origin.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Ochsenfahrt (Author), 2012, The Exeter Book Riddles, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/205771
