Exodus Junius manuscript

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.