The Fitt Formula: Genesis and Fitt 1
Despite the difficulty of determining for certain the poet’s (or the scribes’) intentions for the fitt numbers of the poem, the opening fitts of Beowulf seem clear. Fitt 1 offers the first evidence in the poem for the embedding of digressions and episodes
- PDF / 3,589,932 Bytes
- 260 Pages / 433.701 x 612.283 pts Page_size
- 33 Downloads / 187 Views
Michael Fox
Following the Formula in Beowulf, Örvar-Odds saga, and Tolkien “Fox describes a method of reading and composition that reaches back into the origins of European storytelling, a method that worked for Beowulf and for J. R. R. Tolkien. Fox takes his reader from the smallest phrase, through nested motifs, scenes, and plots, to the formulaic patterns of myths themselves. Norse sagas, ancient Germanic languages, early medieval Latin—all play recurring roles in a gripping analysis built on the very formula that underlies The Hobbit. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to understand ancient storytelling techniques.” —Stephen Harris, Professor of English, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA “This learned and engaging book unlocks the intricate artistry of Beowulf, demonstrating subtle and meaningful repetitions and variations at the level of diction, half-line, fitt, digression, and theme. Fox also unearths fascinating new connections with Germanic alliterative verse, biblical tradition, heroic legend, Norse saga, and folktale. This is a book that all Beowulf scholars will want to read.” —Francis Leneghan, Associate Professor of Old English, University of Oxford, UK, and author of The Dynastic Drama of Beowulf (2020)
Michael Fox
Following the Formula in Beowulf, Örvar-Odds saga, and Tolkien
Michael Fox Western University London, ON, Canada
ISBN 978-3-030-48133-9 ISBN 978-3-030-48134-6 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48134-6 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover credit: INTERFOTO/Alamy Stock Photo This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
P
Data Loading...
