Contents Junius manuscript

1 contents

1.1 genesis
1.2 exodus
1.3 daniel
1.4 christ , satan

contents

the names of poems modern inventions; not given titles in manuscript. majority of anglo-saxon writing, poems anonymous , provenance , dating uncertain.

genesis

in illustration page 46 of cædmon manuscript, angel shown guarding gates of paradise.

genesis paraphrase of first part of biblical book of genesis, creation through test of abraham s faith sacrifice of isaac (gen. 22).

the work recognised composite work formed of 2 distinct parts, conventionally referred genesis , genesis b; latter, lines 235-851 of poem have it, appears have been interpolated older poem produce current text.

it genesis b has attracted critical attention. origin notable in appears translation ninth-century old saxon original; theory made on metrical grounds, in 1875 german scholar sievers, , confirmed discovery of fragment of old saxon verse appears correspond part of work in 1894. writer of interpolated passage german may have lacked cædmon s craftsmanship genius great. thematically , stylistically, distinctive: tells story of falls of satan , man in epic style, , has been suggested influence beowulf, , even, perhaps, paradise lost.

exodus

exodus not paraphrase of biblical book, rather retelling of story of israelites flight egypt , crossing of red sea in manner of heroic epic , old english poems andreas, judith, or non-religious beowulf. 1 of densest, allusive , complex poems in old english, , focus of critical debate.

exodus brings traditional heroic style biblical subject-matter. moses treated general, , military imagery pervades battle scenes. destruction of egyptians in red sea narrated in same way formulaic battle scene other old english poems, including beast of battle motif common in poetry.

the main story suspended @ 1 point tell stories of noah , abraham s sacrifice of isaac. scholars consider change of subject feature of epic style comparable similar digressions in beowulf, while others have proposed later interpolation. edward b. irving edited poem twice, 1955 , 1981: first edition excerpted noah , abraham portion separate poem; on later reflection, irving recanted, admitting integrated part of exodus poem. there appears justification in patristic sermons connecting crossing of red sea these topics.

in recent decades, attention has shifted away heroic aspects of exodus consider densely allusive structure , possible typology. peter j. lucas, instance, has argued poem allegorical treatment of christian s fight devil. crossing of red sea has been seen echoing baptismal liturgy , prefiguring entrance heaven. pharaoh may associated satan through subtle verbal echoes. however, these readings still controversial , much-debated. more balanced view accept though intermittent parts of narrative of exodus merge typological allusion, not sustained throughout poem.

daniel

a short paraphrase of book of daniel, dwelling particularly on story of fiery furnace, deals first 5 chapters of book of daniel.

christ , satan

a three-part poem detailing fall of satan, christ s harrowing of hell (from apocryphal new testament gospel of nicodemus), , christ s temptation in desert.