Anglo Saxon Scops :: English Literature Writing

Anglo Saxon Scops The written interchange has existed for thousands of years, with the style and subject matter of literature ever-changing to fit the times. English literature is no different, with three distinct periods of writing ( experienced English, Middle English and modern English). As the earliest period of attested literature, the Old English period is marked by the primitive styles and linguistic communication of the Anglo Saxon people. Though they were sea-faring warriors, the Anglo Saxons were capable of strong emotions, best captured in poetry. However, these work were not written down. Rather, they were recited or sung. Some men even devote their lives to this purpose. These skilled minstrels were known as scops. The scop was an Anglo-Saxon poet who was commissioned by the other(a) Germanic kings or soldiers to entertain them by reciting the poetry to the accompaniment of a harp or a similarly stringed instrument. From the Old English word scieppan, scop means t o create, form or shape. The scop was in any case referred to as a gleeman, from the Old English word gleoman, who was a musician or performer. Though the scop was a performer, like the gleeman, the work of the scop was more artistic, as the name denotes. Unlike the gleeman, scops also wrote and performed their own poetry. Also, they had to be able to insert fitting verse where necessary, depending upon the do or celebration . Scops were known to travel from village to village however, more had permanent posts in the kings court or mead halls. Usually, they performed for great feasts, celebrations, or the homecoming of soldiers from war. Their performances were usually short, but there were usually umteen lines of verse. Beowulf itself is over 3000 lines long. Any given song could deal with events from the present, such as battles won or recent adventures had. In Beowulf, the scop announced Beowulfs pleasure over Grendel the morning after the deed. Some songs might deal with f igures from the chivalric like the ancestors of the Anglo Saxons. Other subjects reflected in the poetry include the sea, brave deeds, air of warriors, and the love of home. Scops were also commissioned to write elegies or songs for the dead. It was considered an honor to take up a scop sing ones praise or mourn ones death. But, regardless of the subject matter, the theme was lofty and its tone was earnest.