Recitation: Elegies and the Riddle of Life
You have just looked at two elegies (Elegies C and D) that have stymied many generations of scholars. The speakers are essentially riddling their lives! Early scholars of Old English gave these elegies titles that reflect their best guess as to what the poems “mean.” Those of us who have studied Old English literature learned these elegies with their titles, which inevitably prejudiced how we read the poems. Most of you, having never encountered these elegies, can look at them with fresh, unprejudiced eyes!
Your Mission:
To arrive at interpretations of riddles C and D based only on your close readings of these texts. You might think of this exercise as a game, with one rule (see below). Though you will only be writing about one of the elegies, be prepared to discuss them both.
Conversation Starter:
Pick either Elegy C or Elegy D and
- Devise a title for the elegy, as it stands, and explain in a sentence or two the rationale for your title.
- Incorporate the hints of the speaker’s life that you are given within the elegy into a brisk (150 words max) but coherent narrative, filling in the gaps as you deem appropriate. The only rule is that you should not ignore or contradict information in the poem.
Recitation:
Share and critique each other’s stories, making sure to point out any violations of the rule!
Students participating via discussion board: Please look out for each other by making sure that everybody’s post has a reply.
Report:
- Report your original title and story.
- Summarize the range of interpretations that your fellow authors took to both elegies.
- Revise your story as you wish in response to the feedback you received. Don’t ignore constructive feedback–if somebody finds omissions or contradictions, you should revise to address the problems.