Old English Literature

Recognizing the dramatic changes in Old English studies over the past generation, this anthology gathers 21 contemporary critical writings on the prose and poetry of Anglo-Saxon England, from approximately the 7th to the 11th centuries. The contributors focus on texts most commonly read in introductory Old English courses while also engaging with larger issues of Anglo-Saxon history, culture and scholarship. Their approaches vary widely, encompassing disciplines from linguistics to psychoanalysis. In the introduction, R.M. Liuzza presents an overview of Old English studies, the history of the scholarship and major critical themes in the field. For both newcomers and more advanced scholars of Old English, these essays are designed to provoke discussion, answer questions, provide background and inspire an appreciation for the complexity and energy of Anglo-Saxon studies.