Duration: 1:01:56

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In this video we go way back and take a look at old English poetry. We go over the surviving types of Anglo Saxon poetry as well as the conventions of said poetry, like alliteration and beaks in the middle of lines, and of the Anglo Saxon language in general. Then we look at Elegiac poetry in particular and read the first half of the poem which is all about how horrible sailing is as opposed to living in a town and yet the speaker is compelled to sail and relate this situation to the Germanic and Viking cultural system. Also, Forneus makes a lot of bird noises. Then, the second half of the poem suddenly goes all Christian and we discuss whether the poet is using the first half of the poem as the soul's earthly exile from heaven or if he is actually subtlely undermining Christianity by mourning the passing of the earlier heroic age of honor and glory. This leads to the discussion of the practice of weregeld and we finish up with a digression of suggestive Anglo Saxon riddles.