A Guide to Old English

by Bruce Mitchell (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1991

  $3.24

  This volume is now the standard and most popular introduction to Old English language and literature. This fifth edition has been revised and corrected to take into account suggestions from teachers and students. The two most important new features are a substantial introduction to Old English metre (appendix C of Part One) and the addition of Aelfric's account of Edmund King and Martyr to the Prose texts of Part Two. Key features of part one are the fact that sound changes are not treated as an abstract system divorced form the texts, but are discussed when they become relevant to an understanding of the apparent regularities in inflexion; the authoritative section on syntax; and the introduction to Anglo-Saxon studies, which discusses language, literature, history, archaeology and ways of life. In part two the prose texts selected are those traditionally chosen by teachers precisely because they offer the best introduction to the literature and culture of the period. The verse texts, which with the exception of four extracts from Beowulf are all complete, show something of the range that Old English poetry offers in mood, intensity of feeling, humour and natural observation. The texts are accompanied by full explanatory notes at the foot of the page and a detailed glossary.

• New

  Paperback
  2001

  $48.50

  For more than thirty years, A Guide to Old English has been the standard introduction to Old English language and literature. This updated sixth edition retains the structure and style of the popular previous editions, and includes two new, much-requested texts: Wulf and Eadwacer and Judith. The book consists of two parts. Part One comprises an introduction to the Old English language, including orthography and pronunciation, inflexions, word formation, an authoritative section on syntax. This is followed by an introduction to Anglo-Saxon studies, which discusses language, literature, history, archaeology, and ways of life. Sound changes are treated as they become relevant in understanding apparent irregularities in inflexion. Part Two contains prose and literature verse texts, most of them complete, which fully reveal the range that Old English offers in mood, intensity, humour, and natural observation. Full explanatory notes accompany all the texts, and a detailed glossary is provided. The new edition of this highly-acclaimed Guide will be welcomed by teachers and by anyone wanting to gain a greater understanding and enjoyment of the language and literature of the Anglo-Saxons.