WHALES, BIRDS, REEDS, AND BOOK-WORMS: WHAT OLD ENGLISH RIDDLES SAY ABOUT ANGLO-SAXON ATTITUDES TOWARDS WRITING AND READING
Date
2023-09-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Riddling culture existed in multiple forms in early medieval England: Latin enigmata, visual art inscribed with riddles or riddle-like texts, the Old English Exeter Book Riddles, and, presumably, oral transmission. Several Old English riddles that have been preserved in writing self-consciously invite their solvers to think about the nature of the written word as the Anglo-Saxons crafting these riddles attempted to navigate this newly introduced form of language. Many of these riddles, such as the Franks Casket Riddle and Exeter Book Riddles 26 and 60, describe written language by exploring the past lives of the very materials used to create it. These riddles present the power of written language by borrowing from the life forces of the material supports for writing. However, they also emphasize the communal nature of reading by connecting speech with writing. Finally, Riddle 47 calls attention to the limitations of the written word. The common solution to this riddle is a book-worm; however, I contend this by comparing Riddle 47 with its Latin counterpart, the Franks Casket Riddle, and Exeter Book Riddles 26 and 60. I argue that Riddle 47 is actually about the written word, and is meant to call writing’s power into question by demonstrating its fragility and its ability to be misinterpreted through carelessness. Ultimately, these four riddles reflect Anglo-Saxon attitudes towards language and interrogate the possible cultural changes that come along with literacy.
Description
Keywords
medieval literature, Anglo-Saxon, riddles
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
English
Program
English