Anglo-Saxon Riddles

100501013 Eliza

Outline

• Introduction• Themes• Style• References

Introduction

• The Exeter Book (10th century)• 94 riddles• Not by a single author• Supplement to the Old English culture

Themes

• Religion• Animals• Common objects• Sexuality (the “double-entendre” in particular)

I am greater than all this world is,less than the handworm, brighter than the moon,swifter than the sun. All seas and watersare in my embraces, and the bosom of earthand the green fields. I reach to the ground,I descend below hell, I rise above the heavens,the land of glory. I extend far overthe home of angels. I fill the earth,the whole wide world and the ocean currents,all by myself. Say what my name is.

Answer: the Creation

My home is not quiet but I am not loud. The lord has meant us to journey together. I am faster than he and sometimes stronger, But he keeps on going for longer. Sometimes I rest but he runs on. For as long as I am alive I live in him. If we part from one another It is I who will die.

Answer: a fish in a river

A wonderful warrior exists on earth. Two dumb creatures make him grow bright between them. Enemies use him against one another. His strength is fierce but a woman can tame him. He will meekly serve both men and women If they know the trick of looking after him And feeding him properly. He makes people happy. He makes their lives better. But if they let him grow proud This ungrateful friend soon turns against them.

Answer: fire

I am wonderful help to women,The hope of something to come. I harmNo citizen except my slayer.Rooted I stand on a high bed.I am shaggy below. Sometimes the beautifulPeasant's daughter, an eager-armed,Proud woman grabs my body,Rushes my red skin, holds me hard,Claims my head. The curly-hairedWoman who catches me fast will feelOur meeting. Her eye will be wet.

• Possible answers: • “True, harmless” answer---an onion • “False, harmful” answer---a man’s penis

In the double-entendre, which answer does the riddler

want from the solver?

Compare

• An onion When I am alive I do not speak. Anyone who wants to takes me captive and cuts off my head. They bite my bare body I do no harm to anyone unless they cut me first. Then I soon make them cry.

In the double-entendre, which answer does the riddler

want from the solver?--The obscene answer

Style

• Alliteration• Rhetorical, e.g. use of kennings

References• Harwood, Britton J., and Overing, Gillian R., ed.

Class and gender in Early English literature: intersections. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. Print.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_riddles• http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_Riddle

s_of_the_Exeter_Book• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_Book• http://www.abdn.ac.uk/english/beowulf/riddle.ht

m• http://www.public.asu.edu/~aarios/formsofverse

/furtherreading/page3.html• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMrVhkq095

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Thank you for your attention !!