* Mournful tone: The poem is deeply sorrowful and expresses a profound sense of loss.
* Focus on the past: Elegies often reflect on the greatness of the deceased or the beauty of a lost era.
* Use of kennings: These are metaphorical phrases used to replace common nouns (e.g., "battle-sweat" for "blood").
* Alliterative verse: Old English poetry is known for its use of alliteration, where words beginning with the same sound are placed close together.
* Elevated language: The language is formal and poetic, often using archaic vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
* Themes of transience and mortality: The poems often contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
Examples of Old English Elegies:
* "The Wanderer": This poem tells the story of a lone wanderer who mourns the loss of his lord and the community he once belonged to.
* "The Seafarer": This poem reflects on the hardships of a seafaring life and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures.
* "The Wife's Lament": This poem tells the story of a woman whose husband has abandoned her and sent her away.
* "The Ruin": This poem reflects on the ruins of a Roman city, lamenting the decay of past glories.
Key differences from modern elegies:
While modern elegies often focus on personal loss, Old English elegies tend to be more philosophical and reflective, often exploring themes of fate, destiny, and the meaning of life.
These poems offer a unique window into the worldview and cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons, and continue to resonate with readers centuries later.