OLD ENGLISH UNTIL BEFORE VICTORIAN AGE

DISUSUN OLEH :
Umy Hamida Izzati : (190508601)
Nabila Juwita Aurelia : (190508606)
Dea Rini Setyowati : (1905086011)
Yonathan Nicholas Nauili : (1905086016)
Syifa Azizah Yani : (1905086021)
Rokayah : (1905086026)
Marchellia Geovany A. P. : (1205085088)

KELOMPOK 1

KELAS A

PROGRAM STUDI PENDIDIKAN BAHASA INGGRIS

FAKULTAS KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN

UNIVERSITAS MULAWARMA

2019

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 PREFACE

Praise be to God who has helped us servant finish this paper with great ease.
Without help we may not be able to complete the author well.

The paper is organized so that readers can find out how much influence the school
library for the quality of education that we provide based on observations from
various sources. This paper set up by the compiler with various obstacles.
Whether it came from self constituent or who come from outside. But with
patience and especially the help of God finally this paper can be resolved.
This paper includes on “Old English Before Victorian AGE” and delibAGEtely
chosen because the authors draw attention to scrutiny and need support from all
parties who care about education.

Authors also thank the teachers / lecturers who have helped making up for
Facebook to finish this paper. Hopefully this paper can provide a broader insight
to the reader. Although this paper has advantages and disadvantages. Authors beg
for advice and criticism. Thank you.

Samarinda, September 10 2019

Author

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE ........................................................................................................... i

PERFACE ............................................................................................................... ii
TABLE OF CONTENT ......................................................................................... iii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND DISCUSSION

A. Old English Background ........................................................................1
B. Old English Period .................................................................................1
C. Literarry Features of The Period ...........................................................3
D. Middle English Background ..................................................................5
E. Middle English Period ...........................................................................5
F. Literary Features Of The Age ................................................................6
G. The Renaissance and The Neoclassical Period ......................................7
H. The Romantic Period............................................................................11

CHAPTER II FINAL
A. Knot .......................................................................................................13
B. Advice ...................................................................................................13

REFERENCE .........................................................................................................14

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Old English

Little indeed is known of the origin of English Literature, though it is

reasonable to assume that verse of an extemporary kind was composed long
before the period of the earliest written records and that we can be certain that
poetry made its appearance long before the first prose was written down. It is
important from the outset to remember that the extant remains of Old English
Literature have come down to us (for the most part) in late copies, some of which
were made three hundred years after the composition of the poems themselves. So
far as poets are concerned, again little or nothing is known beyond the names of
two of them, but this has not prevented some scholars from writing their' lives,'
from hints in the texts themselves, fortified by scanty contemporary references (in
the case of Caedmon) but mainly from a mass of conjecture, most of which cannot
be described as intelligent. Indeed, the lengths to which critics will at times go is
clearly indicated by the fact that one Old English poet has been provided with a
wife on no valid evidence whatsoever. Notwithstanding the mists which shroud
the beginnings and our lack of knowledge of the poets themselves Old English
Literature has a richness which amazes the reader who overcomes the initial
difficulty of the language, and it is hoped that this richness will be seen even in
the meagre summary which appears in the following pages.

B. Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (450-1066)

The term Anglo-Saxon comes from two Germanic tribes, the Angles and the
Saxons. This period of Literature dates back to their invasion (along with the
Jutes) of Celtic England circa 450. The AGE ends in 1066, when Norman France,
under William, conquered England. Much of the first half of this period, prior to
the seventh century, at least, had oral Literature. A lot of the prose during this
time was a translation of something else or legal, medical, or religious in nature;
however, some works, such as "Beowulf," and those by period poets Caedmon
and Cynewulf, are important

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Poetry in Old English Period (450-1066) :

1. Cædmon’s Hymn

Information about Cædmon’s life is sketchy. St. Bede

the Venerable, an English theologian (673-735),
captured little information available about Cædmon
and published it in Ecclesiastical History of the
English Nation (730). According to Bede,
Cæedmon’s date of birth is unknown. Cædmon was a
herdsman and lay brother at Whitby, a monastery
founded in 657 by St.Hilda. Bada later recorded a
poem said to have been written by Cædmon with title
“Cædmon’s Hymn”, the only poem that can be
accurately attributed to Cædmon.

“Cædmon’s Hymn”

Now we must praise the Guardian of heaven,

The power and conception of the Lord,
And all His works, as He, eternal Lord,
Father of glory, started every wonder.
First He created heaven as a roof,
The holy Maker, for the sons of men.
Then the eternal Keeper of mankind
Furnished the earth below, the land, for men,
Almighty God and everlasting Lord.

2. The Battle of Maldon (312-319)

The 325 line poem The Battle of Maldon celebrates Earl Byrhtnoth and his men
who fell in battle against the Vikings in 991. It is considered one of the finest, but
both the beginning and end are missing and the only manuscript was destroyed in
a fire in 1731.
The Battle of Maldon
Thought shall be the harder, the heart the keener,
courage the greater, as our strength lessens.
Here lies our leader in the dust,
all cut down; always may he mourn
who now thinks to turn away from this warplay.
I am old, I will not go away,
but I plan to lie down by the side of my lord,
by the man so dearly loved.

3. The Dream of the Rood (50-56)

Considered one of the most beautiful of all Old English poems is Dream of the
Rood, contained in the Vercelli Book. The presence of a portion of the poem (in

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Northumbrian dialect) carved in ruins on an 8th century stone cross found
in Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, verifies the age of at least this portion of the poem.
The Dream of the Rood is a dream vision in which the personified cross tells the
story of the crucifixion. Christ appears as a young hero-king, confidant of victory,
while the cross itself feels all the physical pain of the crucifixion, as well as the
pain of being forced to kill the young lord.
“The Dream of the Rood”
Full many a dire experience
on that hill. I saw the God of hosts
stretched grimly out. Darkness covered
the Ruler's corpse with clouds, A shadow passed
across his shining beauty, under the dark sky.
All creation wept, bewailed
the King's death. Christ was on the cross.

C. Literary Features of The Period

1. Pagan Origins. Many of the poems of the period appear to have in them
features which are associated with the pagan past, in particular Widsith and
Beowulf, though the Christian elements in the latter are no longer looked
upon, as was the case among the earlier scholars, as 'clumsy additions.' It
appears likely, therefore, that the earliest poems or themes have their origin
in the Continental home of the English peoples. Such themes were the
common property of the gleemen or 'scops,' who sang them at the feasts of
the nobles. As time went on Christian ideas influenced the earlier pagan, and,
though the phraseology remains, it is impossible to refer to any of the extant
poetry as 'pagan.' Indeed this is only what is to be expected when it is
remembered that the manuscripts themselves were written down in the
monasteries.

Beowulf

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2. Anonymous Origins. Of all the Old English poets we have direct mention of
only one Caedmon, though not one of the extant poems can definitely be
ascribed to him. The name of another poet, Cyne-wulf, is known because of
the fact that he signed his poems in runic letters at the end of four poems. Of
the rest we do not even know their names. Prose, as we have noticed, came
later, and as it was used for practical purposes its authorship in many cases is
established.
3. The Imitative Quality. Much of the prose and some of the poetry is translated
or adapted from the Latin, though the debt to the original varies greatly. The
favourite works for translation were the books of the Bible, the lives of the
saints, and various works of a practical nature. In some cases the translations
are close and without much individuality, but in others the material is
reshaped with expansions and comments and has considAGEble Literary
importance.
4. The Manuscripts. It is certain that only a portion of Old English poetry has
survived though it would appear likely that the surviving portion is
representative. The manuscripts in which the poetry is preserved are late in
date, are unique, and are four in number. They are (a) the Beowulf MS.
(Cotton Vitellius A. XV in the British Museum), containing Beowulf and
Judith and is to be dated c. 1000; (b) the Junius MS. (MS. Junius XI in the
Bodleian Library, Oxford), so called since it belonged to Junius, librarian to
Lord Arundel, and was first printed by him in 1655. It contains the so-called
Caedmonian poems; (c) the Exeter Book (in the Chapter Library of Exeter
Cathedral), known to have been donated to that Cathedral by Bishop Leofric
c. 1050, containing two of the signed poems of Cynewulf; and (d) the
Vercelli Book (in the Cathedral Library at Vercelli near Milan), containing
also two of the signed poems of Cynewulf (including Elene) and Andreas and
The Dream of the Rood.

The Junius Manuscript

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D. Middle English

The extensive period covered by this chapter saw many developments in the
history of England: the establishment of Norman and Angevin dynasties; the
internal struggles between king, nobles, clergy, and people; and the numerous
wars both at home and abroad. From the Literary point of view, however, more
important than definite events were the general movements of the times: the rise
of the religious orders', their early enthusiasm, and their subsequent decline; the
blossoming of chivalry and the spirit of romance, bringing new sympathy for
women and the poor; the Crusades and the widening of the European outlook
which was gradually to expand into the rebirth of the intellect known as the
Renaissance. All these were symptoms of a growing intelligence that was strongly
reflected in the Literature of the period.

E. Middle English Period (1066–1500)

The Middle English period sees a huge transition in the language, culture, and
lifestyle of England and results in what we can recognize today as a form of
“modern” (recognizable) English. The AGE extends to around 1500. As with
the Old English period, much of the Middle English writings were religious in
nature; however, from about 1350 onward, secular Literature began to rise. This
period is home to the likes of Chaucer, Thomas Malory, and Robert Henryson.
Notable works include "Piers Plowman" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
Poetry in Middle English Period (1066-1500) :

1. Fowls in the frith’ (a ‘frith’ is an old name for a wood) is a somewhat

enigmatic poem: the speaker ‘mon waxëwod’ (i.e. must go mad)

“Fowls in the frith”

Foulës in the frith,

The fishës in the flod,
And I mon waxëwod;
Much sorwe I walkë with
For beste of bon and blod.

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2. Whan the turuf is thy tour’ (i.e. when the turf is your tower) is a memento
mori lyric reminding the listener or reader that s/he will die.

“Whan the turuf is thy tour”

Whan the turuf is thy tour,
And thy pit is thy bour,
Thy fel and thy whitëthrotë
Shullenwormës to notë.
What helpëth thee thennë
Al the worildëwennë?

3. ‘Ech day me comëthtydingesthre’ is a lament telling of the poet’s three worst

fears and worries: that he must die; that he doesn’t know when this will
happen; and that he doesn’t know where he will go after death.

“Ech day me comëthtydingesthre”

Ech day me comëthtydingesthre,
For welswithë sore ben he:
The on is that Ichshalhennë,
That other that Ich not whennë,
The thriddë is my mestëcarë,
That Ich not whiderIchshalfarë.

F. Literary Features Of The Age

The period under review provides a large amount of interesting, important,

and often delightful works. The general features are somewhat difficult to give in
brief outline, and emphasis will be placed later on individual works of outstanding
importance.

1. The Transition. In many ways the period is one of transition and of

experiment. The poets, for example, appear in part to be feeling for new
media. The influence of French and Latin works is undoubtedly great, but at
the same time there are some poets who are following in the line of
development from the Old English period. The contrast is obvious and in the
fourteenth century is clear with the work of the allitAGEtive poets of the
west, but in the earlier part too there are outstanding examples of this
tendency, particularly La3amon's Brut. It is clear that oral tradition preserved

6
 the poetic models of the past, though apart from obvious examples it is not
till the fourteenth century that they appear in extant texts.
2. The anonymous nature of the writing is still strongly evidenced. A large
proportion of the works are entirely without known authors, and most of the
authors whose names appear are, indeed, names only.
3. The Domination of Poetry. Much of the surviving work of the period is
poetry which is used for such fields as history, divinity, and science. Many of
the authors are clerics, but at the same time some of the romances must be of
a popular kind. Because of the use of poetry for subjects which one would
expect to be written in prose, the amount of the latter seems small by
comparison. But it must be remembered that Latin was the language of
official documents and, indeed, of learning. Much of the extant prose is
homiletic in character, though none the less important for that. The Katherine
Group and Ancrene Riwle are quite outstanding in their own way, though for
most modern readers they lack interest and are mainly known to the general
reader from certain 'purple patches.' Yet they are individual in style and,
though many are translations, they are by no means slavish.

G. The Renaissance (1500–1660) and The Neoclassical Period (1600–1785)

Recently, critics and Literary historians have begun to call this the “Early
Modern” period, but here we retain the historically familiar term
“Renaissance.” This period is often subdivided into four parts, including the
Elizabethan Era (1558–1603), the Jacobean Age (1603–1625), the Caroline
Age (1625–1649), and the Commonwealth Period (1649–1660). The
Elizabethan Era was the golden age of English drama.
The Elizabethan era was the period
of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-
1603) and is known as the golden
age in English history. During this
time, England had a well-organized
and effective government, and trans-
Atlantic trade caused the country to
expand economically. The Elizabethan era led to the expansion of literature,
music, theatre, architecture, science, and technology.
Literature:
During the Elizabethan era, there was a flourishing of literature, particularly in
drama. The new drama was not like the old mystery and miracle plays

7
(reenactments of stories from the Bible). William Shakespeare emerged as one
of the most successful poets and playwrights of the time. Some of his greatest
plays were thought to be Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and many
others. Shakespeare also popularized the English sonnet, which had been
introduced by Thomas Wyatt in the early 16th century. Another well-known
poet of the Elizabethan era was Christopher Marlowe, who influenced
Shakespeare. Marlowe's plays featured blank verse, which is poetry that does
not rhyme.
Some of its noteworthy figures include Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon,
Edmund Spenser, Sir Walter Raleigh, and, of course, William
Shakespeare. The Jacobean Age is named for the reign of James I. It includes
the works of John Donne, Shakespeare, Michael Drayton, John Webster,
Elizabeth Cary, Ben Jonson, and Lady Mary Wroth. The King James
translation of the Bible also appeared during the Jacobean Age. The Caroline
Age covers the reign of Charles I (“Carolus”). John Milton, Robert Burton,
and George Herbert are some of the notable figures. Finally, the
Commonwealth Age was so named for the period between the end of the
English Civil War and the restoration of the Stuart monarchy. This is the
time when Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan, led Parliament, who ruled the nation.
At this time, public theaters were closed (for nearly two decades) to prevent
public assembly and to combat moral and religious transgressions. John
Milton and Thomas Hobbes’ political writings appeared and, while drama
suffered, prose writers such as Thomas Fuller, Abraham Cowley, and Andrew
Marvell published prolifically.
Poetry in The Renaissance Period (1500-1660) :
1. Dante Alghieri
Dante Alghierilahir was born in Florence, Italy,
May 14, 1265. His full name is Durante Degli
Alighieri. Dante is Italian. He completed his
education at the Franciscan School called Santa
Croce. His work is considered to be one of the
greatest literature in Europe during the Middle
Ages, and is a basis in modern Italian. Unfinished
writing is an encyclopedic work titled Convivo, an
Italian poem entitled De vulgarieloquentia.

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 2. Edmund Spencer
Edmund Spencer or Edmund Spenser (born
in London 27 April 1553; died in London 13
January 1599) was a great poet of the time
of Queen Elizabeth. He succeeded in writing
poems composed of 6 volumes, even though
he was never finished, these poems were
supersaries in English literature: The Faerie
Queene (1590-1596). [2] The paper is a
categorical work on the moral values of
Christian decency.
“The Faerie Queena”
Such is the crueltie of womenkynd,
When they have shaken off the shamefast band,
With which wise Nature did them strongly bynd,
T’obay the heasts of mans well ruling hand,
That then all rule and reason they withstand,
To purchase a licentious libertie.
But virtuous women wisely understand,
That they were borne to base humilitie,
Unlesse the heavens them lift to lawfullsoveraintie.

The Neoclassical period is also subdivided into ages, including The Restoration
(1660–1700), The Augustan Age (1700–1745), and The Age of Sensibility (1745–
1785).The Restoration period sees some response to the puritanical age, especially
in the theater. Restoration comedies (comedies of manner) developed during this
time under the talent of playwrights such as William Congreve and John Dryden.
Satire, too, became quite popular, as evidenced by the success of Samuel Butler.
Other notable writers of the age include Aphra Behn, John Bunyan, and John

9
Locke. The Augustan Age was the time of Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift,
who imitated those first Augustans and even drew parallels between themselves
and the first set. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a poet, was prolific at this time and
noted for challenging stereotypically female roles. Daniel Defoe was also
popular. The Age of Sensibility (sometimes referred to as the Age of Johnson)
was the time of Edmund Burke, Edward Gibbon, Hester Lynch Thrale, James
Boswell, and, of course, Samuel Johnson. Ideas such as neoclassicism, acritical
and Literary mode, and the Enlightenment, a particular worldview shared by
many intellectuals, were championed during this age. Novelists to explore include
Henry Fielding, Samuel Richardson, Tobias Smollett, and Laurence Sterne, as
well as the poets William Cowper and Thomas Percy.

Poetry in Neoclassical Period (1600-1785)

1. Robert Burns
Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July
1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie
Burns, the National Bard, Bard of
Ayrshire and the Ploughman Poet and
various other names and epithets,[nb 1] was a
Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely
regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He
“A Red, Red Rose” is the best known of the
O my Luve is like a red, red rose poets who have written in
That’s newly sprung in June; the Scots language,
O my Luve is like the melody although much of his
That’s sweetly played in tune. writing is also in English
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, and a light Scots dialect,
So deep in luve am I; accessible to an audience
And I will luve thee still, my dear, beyond Scotland. He also
Till a’ the seas gang dry. wrote in standard English,
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, and in these writings his
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun; political or civil
I will love thee still, my dear, commentary is often at its
While the sands o’ life shall run. bluntest.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.
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H. The Romantic Period (1785–1832)
The beginning date for the Romantic period is often debated. Some claim it is
1785, immediately following the Age of Sensibility. Others say it began in
1789 with the start of the French Revolution, and still, others believe that 1798,
the publication year for William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s
book "Lyrical Ballads," is its true beginning. The time period ends with the
passage of the Reform Bill (which signaled the Victorian age) and with the
death of Sir Walter Scott. American Literature has its own Romantic period,
but typically when one speaks of Romanticism, one is referringto this great and
diverse age of British Literature, perhaps the most popular and well-known of
all Literary ages.This age includes the works of such juggernauts as
Wordsworth, Coleridge, William Blake, Lord Byron, John Keats, Charles
Lamb, Mary Wollstonecraft, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Thomas De Quincey, Jane
Austen, and Mary Shelley. There is also a minor period, also quite popular
(between 1786–1800), called the Gothic AGE. Writers of note for this period
include Matthew Lewis, Anne Radcliffe, and William Beckford.
Poetry in The Romantic Period (1785-1832) :
1. Samuel Taylor Coleridge 21 October
1772 – 25 July 1834) was an English poet,
literary critic, philosopher and theologian
who, with his friend William Wordsworth,
was a founder of the Romantic.

“The Rime of the Ancient Marine”

Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
The very deep did rot – Oh Christ!
That ever this should be.
Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs,
Upon the slimy sea.

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2. William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23
April 1850) was an English Romantic poet
who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped
to launch the Romantic Age in English
literature with their joint publication Lyrical
Ballads (1798).

“To Lady Beaumont”

Lady! The songs of Spring were in the grove
While I Was shaping beds for winter flowers
While I was planting green unfading bowers
And shrubs-to hang upon the warm altove
And sheltering wall and still, as fancy wove
The dream, to time and nature’s blended powers
I gave this paradise for winter hours,
A labyrinth, Lady! Which your feet shall rove.
Yes! When the sun of life more feebly shines,
Becoming thoughts, I trust, of solemn gloom
Or of high gladness you shall hither bring
And these perennial bowers and murmuring pines
Be gracious as the music and the bloom
And all the mighty ravishment of spring.

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 CHAPTER III

FINAL

A. Knot

We concluded that the ancient English AGE using Old English, or we can
call it Anglo-Saxon. Therefore, the current English user are less understand
the Old English, except for those who delibAGEtely do a deeper study. Also,
language can be change along with the time progressed, and that’s why all
English is not used by people nowdays.

B. Advice

Our advice, there is no harm in learning more about Old English. Indeed in
this time English is used more modern, because it follows the times. But by
learning more about Old English, we appreciate the language, because no
doubt the language we use is an update from the previous language.

13
 REFERENCE

https://www.thoughtco.com/british-Literary-periods-739034

https://contohpantunpuisicerpen.blogspot.com/2016/09/10-poems-of-william-
wordsworth.html?m=1

https://www.pustakabahsainggris.com/10-karya-sajak-bahasa-inggris-terbesar-
lengkap-dengan -artinya-part1/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wordsworth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Taylor_Coleridge

https://mymodernmet.com/old-english-manuscripts/

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-faerie-queene-by-edmund-spenser-
1590
https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/english-literature-
1499-biographies/caedmon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English_Literature
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns
https://literarydevices.net/a-red-red-rose/
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43812/a-red-red-rose
https://www.google.com/search?q=elizabethan+era+romeo+and+juliet&safe=
strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj87cWunsbkAhVUX3
0KHeCJDlUQ_AUIEigB&biw=1367&bih=577
http://fm-romeoandjuliet.weebly.com/elizabethan-era.html

History of English Literature by EDWARD ALBERT

Revised by J. A. STONE
Fifth Edition
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

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