Desiring to be known: The diction of glory and fame in Old English literature

Jack R Baker, Purdue University

Abstract

The diction of glory and fame in Old English literature reveals to us the intricacies woven into this theme. Here we look at three words, dom, lof, and hlisa, which offer us particular insights into the Anglo-Saxon desire to be known. Dom, or fame of the head, is shown to be the sort of glory and fame that an individual receives through the rational assessment and pronouncement of his deeds as good by another individual or group. Lof, or fame of the mouth, will be identified as the joyful verbal pronouncement by an individual or group that another’s deeds are worthy of praise, and thus worthy of imitation. Hlisa , or fame of the ears, will be connected to the aural reception of one’s deeds as honorable. This word is employed nearly exclusively by King Alfred and his circle of writers and Ælfric of Eynsham. Particular attention will be given to Ælfric’s use of the word to describe the glory and fame of his saints. The study will provide a linguistic analysis of each word as well as a literary analysis of the contexts in which the words appear. To facilitate the literary analysis, we will provide a framework of terminology that looks at secular, syncretic, and Christian moments of glory and fame. In the end, we conclude that the nuanced uses of different glory and fame words throughout the Old English corpus demonstrates the way in which the Anglo-Saxons engaged and expressed their desire to be known.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Hughes, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Medieval literature|British and Irish literature

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