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Post by Éadríc on Apr 1, 2013 15:01:18 GMT
Yes, master!
(Sorry, just came back from spending Easter with my closest kin.)
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Léodfriþ
Híredman
Former Fyrning
Posts: 45
Axe: Sigorblæd
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Post by Léodfriþ on Apr 1, 2013 15:36:35 GMT
As did I, I'm looking forward to it!
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Post by Hróðbeorht on Apr 1, 2013 21:37:53 GMT
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Post by Rǽdwulf on Apr 2, 2013 7:39:24 GMT
An interesting first choice! Hope to find some time to not just read but also comment on it.  |
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Post by Hróðbeorht on Apr 4, 2013 18:40:50 GMT
A reminder that the discussion of this poem is supposed to start tomorrow. |
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Post by Hróðgár on Apr 5, 2013 18:18:16 GMT
You better start, I'm not very experienced with discussing texts but I'll join in as soon as it gets going. p.s. Good choice |
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Léodfriþ
Híredman
Former Fyrning
Posts: 45
Axe: Sigorblæd
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Post by Léodfriþ on Apr 5, 2013 18:59:52 GMT
Agreed. I don't really know what to discuss about the text.  |
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Post by Hróðbeorht on Apr 6, 2013 11:10:11 GMT
I'm not quite sure where to start either, but oh well. I'll start writing and hope for the best:
One of the things I like the most about this poem is its skillful use of variation, a technique where the referent is described across several half-lines with different, often synonymous expressions. For example:
The poet starts simply by naming the guy: Wulfmær. Then he informs us that he's a kinsman of Byrhtnoð, which adds to the heaviness of the blow to the main character. Finally, the poet specifies: Wulfmær is Byrhtnoþ's sister's son, and thus, according to Anglo-Saxon (and Germanic in general) custom, was particularly close to him. Each variation adds to the impact of Wulfmær's death.
Probably the most immediately striking and moving bits are the speeches. There's the one by the viking messenger, who offers the English peace in exchange of tribute, and which prompts Byrhtnoð's famous response:
Defiant, proud. According to some, showing a glimpse of an early sense of an English nation, although I'm not quite sure of that (I think we would have to take þis folc to mean "this people" rather than "these folks looking at you right now" for that to work, but the latter seems more likely; the references to Æþelred's land and people are not necessarily significant, in my opinion, in terms of nationalism, since after all they refer to a king's rule over them, and that doesn't have to imply belonging to a nation. Note however that there's other reasons to conclude that, by the late 10th century, the English *did* feel, well, English).
There's also Ælfwine's speech, one fine display of the spirit of the dryht (comitatus, warband):
And possibly the most famous quote from the poem, the beginning of Byrhtwold's speech:
OK, that should be enough for a start. Of course, there's lots more to discuss!
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Post by Rǽdwulf on Apr 7, 2013 10:38:32 GMT
I've read and enjoyed the Battle of Maldon. It's a great piece of literature and really vivid in its storytelling. But I have to keep out of this week's discussion: Tonight I'm heading out for vacancies and I'll only be back on Saturday night. Have a nice week, brethren |
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Post by Hróðgár on Apr 7, 2013 21:45:40 GMT
I think we need a bit more time to discuss, it is a long text and I am not very practiced in discussing but I can definitely agree with you Hrotha  I've been trying my best but I just don't know what to discuss about ^^ |
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Post by Hróðgár on Apr 7, 2013 21:46:34 GMT
Oh and have a nice time Ráeda (you'll probably see this next week xD)
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Post by Hróðbeorht on Apr 8, 2013 1:00:29 GMT
Well, you still have until next Sunday to discuss, so no excuses |
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Post by Hróðgár on Apr 8, 2013 20:36:23 GMT
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Post by Hróðbeorht on Apr 18, 2013 11:29:22 GMT
Do you guys need more time to discuss this or should I just post a new text?
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Post by Fródwine on Apr 18, 2013 14:15:42 GMT
In my opinion the text is quite suitable for a discussion. But unfortunately I have too much to do at the moment to take part in this exchange of ideas. Perhaps I will be able to in a few days though.
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I've been trying my best but I just don't know what to discuss about ^^
