AngloSaxon Riddles and Poems What you need to

Anglo-Saxon Riddles and Poems

What you need to know… n n n The Exeter Book contains 95 riddles Riddles were written about animals, daily life, nature, and other subjects that were a part of Anglo-Saxon daily life. Riddles appeal to senses

Reading n n n Read The Wanderer and The Wife’s Lament. (27 -31) Write down one example of a caesura from each story. Write down five characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon man and five characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon woman after reading these poems. Why does the wanderer go into exile? Why does the wife have to leave her home? What images are used to show the wanderer’s despair and isolation? Why does the second poem present the wife as an image of pure longing, rather than as a person who will one day move on?

Riddle 3 I am the lone wood in the warp of battle, Wounded by iron, broken by blade, Weary of war. Often I see Battle-rush, rage, fierce fight flaring-- I hold no hope for help to come Before I fall finally with warriors Or feel the flame. The hard hammer-leavings Strike me; the bright-edged, battle-sharp Handiwork of smiths bites in battle. Always I must await the harder encounter For I could never find in the world any Of the race of healers who heal hard wounds With roots and herbs. So I suffer Sword-slash and death-wound day and night.

Answer Shield

Solve in Groups n n At your table, you will be given three riddles. Try to solve the riddles. Answers will be provided in ten minutes.

Answers to Riddles n n n n Riddle 4 – Sun Riddle 5 – Whistling Swan Riddle 6 – Nightingale Riddle 7 – Cuckoo Riddle 8 – Goose Riddle 9 –Cup of Wine (Gold, Night) Riddle 10 – Ox Riddle 11 - Ten Chickens (ten fingers) n n n n Riddle 17 – Ship Riddle 18 – Sword Riddle 20 – Month of December Riddle 22 – Magpie Riddle 23 - Onion Riddle 26 – Lyre or Harp Riddle 28 – Tree or Wood Riddle 34 - Ship

Anglo-Saxon Culture n n How do the riddles connect to Anglo. Saxon culture? What are some specific examples?