The departure of the hero in a ship: The intertextuality of Beowulf, Cynewulf and Andreas
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Leneghan, F. (2019). The departure of the hero in a ship: The intertextuality of Beowulf, Cynewulf and Andreas. SELIM. Journal of the Spanish Society for Medieval English Language and Literature., 24(1), 105–132. https://doi.org/10.17811/selim.24.2019.105-132

Abstract

This article identifies a new Old English poetic motif, ‘The Departure of the Hero in a Ship’, and discusses the implications of its presence in Beowulf, the signed poems of Cynewulf and Andreas, a group of texts already linked by shared lexis, imagery and themes. It argues that the Beowulf-poet used this motif to frame his work, foregrounding the question of royal succession. Cynewulf and the Andreas-poet then adapted this Beowulfian motif in a knowing and allusive manner for a new purpose: to glorify the church and to condemn its enemies. Investigation of this motif provides further evidence for the intertextuality of these works.


Keywords: Old English poetry; Beowulf, Cynewulf; Andreas; Anglo-Saxon literature

https://doi.org/10.17811/selim.24.2019.105-132
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