This thesis will discuss how Le Guin has adapted both the standard medieval dragon and the dragons in the narratives of Tolkien and Lewis in her own work, The Books of Earthsea.
The history of mankind is intrinsically linked to the history of narrative, since it is in our very being to communicate, and to produce narratives. In earlier times, people sat around the campfire...Show moreThe history of mankind is intrinsically linked to the history of narrative, since it is in our very being to communicate, and to produce narratives. In earlier times, people sat around the campfire or in the banquet hall to partake in the telling and hearing of stories about the world, about gods and higher powers, about heroes or extraordinary events, and so on. In the late 20th century, this oral tradition made a mainstream resurgence of sorts in western culture, with the rise of the (tabletop) Role Playing Game or ‘TTRPG’. These games, while not exact replications of oral tradition, are heavily reliant on its orality and collaborative storytelling elements, and its gameplay owes much to the narrative features and typescenes of oral tradition, especially medieval oral tradition, since the original TTRPG’s were inspired mainly by the medieval period. While scholars such as Walter J. Ong (Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word, 1982) have already discussed oral tradition in detail, its link to the relatively new medium of the TTRPG has yet to be touched upon in scholarship. This thesis will attempt to close this gap to a degree, by investigating to what extent the non-linear narrative structure of the TTRPG Dungeons and Dragons resembles that of medieval oral tradition. First, this thesis will define what exactly constitutes medieval orality, by presenting (among others) Walter J. Ong’s theory pertaining to the “Psychodynamics of Orality,” and illustrating the presence of his characteristics in extant historical sources of medieval oral tradition, such as the Old English Beowulf and the Norse sagas. Second, an overview will be provided of the popular TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons, detailing its content, gameplay mechanics, history, and development. Finally, this thesis will demonstrate the relation between Dungeons & Dragons and medieval orality, by applying Walter J. Ong’s theory on oral characteristics to the TTRPG. In so doing, this thesis will demonstrate that (TT)RPG’s can provide valuable contributions to the scholarly fields wherein the topic is otherwise overlooked.Show less
It is a widely known fact that monks practice abstinence. Yet, the monastic scribes of the Old English riddles had to copy lines about a man raising up clothing and thrusting with something stiff,...Show moreIt is a widely known fact that monks practice abstinence. Yet, the monastic scribes of the Old English riddles had to copy lines about a man raising up clothing and thrusting with something stiff, about a girl gripping a swollen and boneless thing, and about something by a man’s thigh that often fully fills the same hole. Unlike these lines might suggest, these riddles do not concern any unholy acts, but merely butter churning, a girl kneading dough, and a key unlocking a door. The power of riddles lies in their ability to change a mundane act or object in something so vastly different it is hardly recognisable, which makes them both a fun and mentally stimulating challenge. In Anglo-Saxon times, riddles circulated in Old English as well as in Anglo-Latin; the two Anglo-Saxon riddling traditions. The majority of current research on riddles claims that the two traditions are very similar in every aspect, except for the presence of sexual riddles. That particular subtype of riddles is said to only occur in the Old English tradition. Although the classroom, where the Anglo-Latin riddles are generally believed to be used, does not strike as a fitting place for crude jokes, some evidence of traces of possible sexual riddling have been found by Andy Orchard and Mercedes Salvador-Bello. Exploratory studies such as theirs leave room for future research, which inspired this thesis.Show less
The fictional works of English author and Oxford philologist, J.R.R. Tolkien, have been subjected to many literary and comparative analyses ever since they first came within the purview of academia...Show moreThe fictional works of English author and Oxford philologist, J.R.R. Tolkien, have been subjected to many literary and comparative analyses ever since they first came within the purview of academia. Source criticism (i.e. the analysis of how Tolkien drew inspiration from medieval texts, Catholicism, WWI, etc.) and thematic oppositions, such as light vs. dark, have especially attracted scholarly attention. What has not yet been satisfactorily explored within source criticism and light-dark opposition is Tolkien’s use of the ‘shadow’ as a literary motif in 'The Lord of the Rings' and its possible resonances with Old English conceptions of the shadow. This study combines a close reading, philologically-minded analysis of 'The Lord of the Rings' with a comparative approach centred on the occurrence of shadows in Old English poetic contexts. In so doing, the arguments and evidence brought forth in this study make a strong case for shadow as both a viable literary motif throughout the narrative and as a likely area of borrowing from early medieval Old English poetry.Show less
This thesis explores the existence of Old English elegiac elements in Breton Lays from Medieval England. These Breton Lays include Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Chaitivel", as well as "Sir Orfeo"...Show moreThis thesis explores the existence of Old English elegiac elements in Breton Lays from Medieval England. These Breton Lays include Marie de France's "Lanval" and "Chaitivel", as well as "Sir Orfeo". The thesis examines the existence of elegiac elements in Old English poems, and refers to "The Wanderer", "The Seafarer" and "The Ruin" to delineate markers in Old English elegiac poems.Show less
Modern Beowulf scholarship found its origin in 1815 with the publication of the Latin translation of Beowulf by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelín. Although not the first to...Show moreModern Beowulf scholarship found its origin in 1815 with the publication of the Latin translation of Beowulf by the Icelandic-Danish scholar Grímur Jónsson Thorkelín. Although not the first to tackle the Old English Beowulf, as Sharon Turner had in fact translated a selection of the poem to Modern English as early as 1805, Thorkelín was the first to provide a complete translation of Beowulf in any language. As such, he was the first to introduce its cast of characters to the critics and other translators. Since then, Beowulf has received sustained critical attention. The fact that Beowulf has been available for critical review for such a long period of time makes it impossible for a single person to read, discuss, or even just be aware of all the critical works published on Beowulf. Consequently, the current study cannot cover all that has been written on Grendel’s mother and her representation; it does, however, attempt to paint a picture of the evolving scholarly reception of Grendel’s mother by discussing some of its major developments.Show less
This thesis traces the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship in the Old English biblical poem 'Daniel.' To begin with, the thesis describes the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship according to a...Show moreThis thesis traces the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship in the Old English biblical poem 'Daniel.' To begin with, the thesis describes the ideal of Anglo-Saxon counsellorship according to a number of major Anglo-Saxon authors, like Wulfstan and Ælfric. Next, the study connects the Anglo-Saxon ideal of counsellorship to the Old English 'Daniel.' The study shows that the poem's depiction of good counsellors is remarkably similar to the ideal for Anglo-Saxon counsellors as described by the important Anglo-Saxon authors. Both the poem and these authors depict the ideal counsellor as righteous, wise and selfless. Therefore, the thesis argues that the Old English 'Daniel' should be read as a mirror for counsellors.Show less
Dysentery was a common disease in medieval England. This thesis entails a comparison of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dysentery in Old English and Middle English medical texts, as well...Show moreDysentery was a common disease in medieval England. This thesis entails a comparison of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dysentery in Old English and Middle English medical texts, as well as an analysis of the various remedies’ effectiveness against this disease. The methodology consists of a comparative analysis between early and late medieval medical texts, in the light of relevant scholarship on medieval medicine and modern medical research, based on close readings of these texts.Show less
This thesis analyses George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire from a medievalist perspective. By comparing Martin’s representation of several significant themes to his medieval...Show moreThis thesis analyses George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire from a medievalist perspective. By comparing Martin’s representation of several significant themes to his medieval and medievalist sources, we can see how he deviates from his sources to problematize the medieval. Firstly, Martin’s portrayal of women is discussed, highlighting strong female characters such as Daenerys. Another important aspect that is addressed is chivalry, discussing both the romantic side of chivalry and court life, as well as chivalry in regards to honour and righteousness. Altogether, this thesis analyses how Martin’s depiction of gender roles and chivalry may be interpreted as subverting the medieval ideals that Martin so clearly based himself on.Show less
The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, where Duke William defeated King Harold. It is generally believed that the Bayeux Tapestry...Show moreThe Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings, where Duke William defeated King Harold. It is generally believed that the Bayeux Tapestry provides a biased account of the Conquest and has a pro-Norman view. This thesis will demonstrate how, despite the fact that the Tapestry is commissioned by a Norman patron, the Tapestry reveals a sympathetic attitude towards Harold, and that this is probably the influence of the English embroiderers. The Tapestry provides, in comparison with Norman, Anglo-Norman and English written sources, an unbiased account of the Conquest: neither pro-Norman nor pro-English. The influence of a Norman patron and English embroiderers is illustrated through certain scenes of Harold and William and the relationship between the main narrative and the commentary in the borders of the Tapestry.Show less
