Anglo Saxon Scops :: English Literature Writing

Anglo Saxon Scops The written word has existed for thousands of years, with the style and subject matter of publications changing to fit the times. English literature is no different, with three distinct periods of writing ( experient English, Middle English and modern English). As the earliest period of docu mented literature, the Old English period is attach by the primitive styles and language of the Anglo Saxon people. Though they were sea-faring warriors, the Anglo Saxons were capable of strong emotions, best captured in poetry. However, these works were not written d accept. Rather, they were recited or sung. virtually men even devoted their lives to this purpose. These skilled minstrels were known as scops. The scop was an Anglo-Saxon poet who was commissioned by the early Germanic kings or soldiers to entertain them by reciting the poetry to the supplement of a harp or a similarly stringed instrument. From the Old English word scieppan, scop means to create, form or shap e. The scop was also referred to as a gleeman, from the Old English word gleoman, who was a musician or performer. Though the scop was a performer, like the gleeman, the work of the scop was more artistic, as the name denotes. Unlike the gleeman, scops also wrote and performed their own poetry. Also, they had to be able to insert fitting verse where necessary, depending upon the occasion or celebration . Scops were known to travel from village to village however, many had permanent posts in the kings court or mead halls. Usually, they performed for great feasts, celebrations, or the homecoming of soldiers from war. Their performances were usually short, but there were usually many lines of verse. Beowulf itself is over 3000 lines long. Any give song could deal with events from the present, such as battles won or recent adventures had. In Beowulf, the scop announced Beowulfs triumph over Grendel the morning after the deed. Some songs might deal with figures from the past like the an cestors of the Anglo Saxons. Other subjects reflected in the poetry include the sea, brave deeds, glory of warriors, and the love of home. Scops were also commissioned to write elegies or songs for the dead. It was considered an honor to have a scop sing ones praise or mourn ones death. But, regardless of the subject matter, the theme was lofty and its tone was earnest.