Darkness, Depression, and Descent in Anglo-Saxon England

Published by Medieval Institute Publications 2019

Darkness, Depression, and Descent in Anglo-Saxon England

Edited by: Ruth Wehlau

In the series Publications of the Richard Rawlinson Center

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110661972

Overview
Contents

About this book

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This collection of essays examines the motifs of darkness, depression, and descent in both literal and figurative manifestations within a variety of Anglo-Saxon texts, including the Old English Consolation of Philosophy, Beowulf, Guthlac, The Junius Manuscript, The Wonders of the East, and The Battle of Maldon. Essays deal with such topics as cosmic emptiness, descent into the grave, and recurrent grief. In their analyses, the essays reveal the breadth of this imagery in Anglo-Saxon literature as it is used to describe thought and emotion, as well as the limits to knowledge and perception. The volume investigates the intersection between the burgeoning interest in trauma studies and darkness and the representation of the mind or of emotional experience within Anglo-Saxon literature.

Author information

Ruth Wehlau, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Introduction: Darkness in the Universe, Darkness in the Mind in Anglo-Saxon Literature Ruth Wehlau and Fabienne L. Michelet Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part 1: Darkness
Chapter 1. Sweart as Sin: Color Connotation and Morality in Anglo-Saxon England Amy W. Clark Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	15
Chapter 2. “The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors”: Darkness, Terror, and Perception in Anglo-Saxon England Gwendolyne Knight Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	37
Chapter 3.The Sinister Sound of Shadows in the Old English Poetics of the Dark Filip Missuno Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	61
Chapter 4. Into the Darkness First: Neoplatonism and Neurosis in Old English Wisdom Poetry Rafał Borysławski Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
Chapter 5. Signs, Interpretation, and Exclusion in Beowulf Matthew Scribner Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	117
Part 2: Depression
Chapter 6. Beowulf’s Dark Thoughts: Heremod, Hrethel, and Exempla of the Mind Ruth Wehlau Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
Chapter 7. The Fourth Fate of Men: Heremod’s Darkened Mind James H. Morey Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	155
Chapter 8. Eating People and Feeling Sorry: Cannibalism, Contrition, and the Didactic Donestre in the Old English Wonders of the East and Latin Mirabilia Matthew Roby Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	167
Part 3: Descent
Chapter 9. Darkness and Light in Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Junius 11 Carl Kears Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	209
Chapter 10. Darkness Edible: Soul, Body, and Worms in Early Medieval English Devotional Literature Haruko Momma Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237
Chapter 11. “Stand Firm”: The Descent to Hell in Felix’s Life of Saint Guthlac Daniel Anlezark Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	255
Chapter 12. The Heart of Darkness: Descent, Landscape, and Mental Projection in Christ and Satan and The Wife’s Lament Francisco J. Rozano-García Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	277
Notes on Contributors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	299

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications
Audience: Medievalists, Scholars of Anglo-Saxon Studies and Literature
Pages
- Main content: 308
Keywords: Darkness; Anglo-Saxon; Mind; Depression

eBook

Published: May 20, 2019
ISBN: 9783110661972

Hardcover

Published: May 20, 2019
ISBN: 9781580443678