Cynewulf
Author of Cynewulf's Elene
Works by Cynewulf
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 9th century
- Date of death
- 9th century
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- England
- Country (for map)
- UK
Members
Reviews
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 9
- Also by
- 2
- Members
- 131
- Popularity
- #154,467
- Rating
- 4.2
- Reviews
- 3
- ISBNs
- 23
- Languages
- 2
Other than the text it has a very good critical apparatus: an essay on the Cynewulf runes; some of the poems' sources (in Latin only); notes which closely discuss the text; and a glossary for those who are here for the Old English text.
I only read the translation as I know my limits but I did have a look at the OE. The translation appears to be close. Lines 103 – 4 will be of interest to Tolkien fans:
“Eala earendel engla beorhtast
Ofer middan-geard monnum sended”
I object the any English poetry written between Wordsworth and Larkin, but I must admit that the translation is well done.
Christ III is a particularly enjoyable poem. Well worth a read. It has a great description of Domesday and a theologically astounding (and perhaps unintentionally funny) scene where Jesus tells off a sinner and lays a massive guilt trip on him.
The other two poems are of historical interest, representing an English response to the arrival of Roman Christianity, i.e. vernacularise it and add a few dramatic elements.… (more)