Old English poetry

Old English poetry is based upon one system of verse construction which was used for all poems. The system consisted of five permutations on a base verse scheme; any one of the five types could be used in any verse. The system is founded upon accent, alliteration, the quantity of vowels, and patterns of syllabic accentuation.

Accent

A line of poetry in Old English consists of two half-lines or verses, distichs, with a pause or caesura in the middle of the line. The following example from The Battle of Maldon, spoken by the warrior Byrthnoth shows this:

 Hige sceal þe heardra,     heorte þe cenre, 
 mod sceal þe mare,         þe ure mægen lytlað 

Translated Courage must be the greater, heart the bolder, Spirit the greater, the more our strength is diminished.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the principal binding agent of Old English poetry. The beginning sound of the first stressed syllable of the on-verse, or first half-line, is generally the same as the beginning sound of the first stressed syllable of the off-verse, or second half-line. The secondary stress of the on-verse may alliterate with the others. This usually means they begin with the same letter.

Other features common in Old English poetry

Kennings, figurative phrases, often stereotypical, used to describe something in terms of another, e.g. in Beowulf, the sea is called the swan's road. Litotes?, a figure of speech which is dramatically understated, is frequently employed, often with ironic intent and effect.

[to be continued.. sjc]

/Talk