Abstract
The picture of Anglo-Saxon society that we receive through its literature is a direct result of the life of the Old English scop. His personality and experiences filter into the stories that he tells and provide nuanced interpretations of both histories and legends, while his position within Anglo-Saxon society allows him direct access to the great events and persons of his time. As an active participant in his society, at the feet or even at the right hand of a king, he wields profound influence; as an observer and commentator on his society, he records and interprets both reality and fiction. Comprehension of narrative voice in Old English poetry depends on understanding the function, development, and complex social position of the scop, who authors and disseminates this literature. This focused examination of three poems, Widsið, Deor, and Beowulf, provides a functional description of the professional life of the Old English scop.
Recommended Citation
Horton, Lisa M.
(2010)
"Singing the Story: Narrative Voice and the Old English Scop,"
The Hilltop Review: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/hilltopreview/vol4/iss1/7
