| Translator |
Cook, Albert S. (Albert Stanburrough), 1853-1927 |
| Author |
Cynewulf |
| Translator |
Pitman, James Hall, 1896- |
| Title |
The Old English Physiologus
|
| Series Title |
Yale Studies in English: LXIII
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| Note |
Three short poems of the Exeter book: The panther, The whale, and The partridge; often ascribed to Cynewulf.
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 60.9 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Produced by David Starner, Ben Beasley and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team
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| Summary |
"The Old English Physiologus" by Cynewulf is a collection of three poetic writings likely composed during the early medieval period. This work serves as a bestiary, offering moral and religious lessons derived from various creatures. Unlike typical bestiaries that include numerous animals, this text focuses on specific allegorical interpretations of a panther, a sea monster (asp-turtle), and a partridge, reflective of the era's fascination with nature's symbolism. The content revolves around the unique characteristics and lessons associated with each of the chosen animals. The panther, depicted as kind and enchanting, symbolizes Christ, with its beauty representing divine glory and the fragrance of redemption that draws followers to God. The asp-turtle, likened to a deceptive fiend, warns against the perils of temptation and the treachery of evil that ensnares the unwary. Lastly, the partridge serves as a metaphor for the soul's journey; just as the partridge raises chicks from stolen eggs, the narrative conveys a message about reclaiming one's true divine parentage. Each creature's portrayal not only engages the reader's imagination but also invites reflection on deeper spiritual truths embodied in the narratives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| Language |
Old English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
|
| Subject |
Exeter book
|
| Subject |
Bestiaries
|
| Subject |
Animals -- Folklore -- Early works to 1800
|
| Subject |
Didactic poetry, English (Old)
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| Subject |
Animals -- Folklore -- Poetry
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
14529 |
| Release Date |
Dec 30, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 19, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
354 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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