Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Dedication
- Introduction
- 1 Palaeography, Codicology and Language
- 2 The Descensus Motif
- 3 Literary Analysis
- 4 Selected Comparative Studies and Analogous Literature
- Afterword
- Text and Translation
- Commentary
- Appendix 1 The Doctrine of the Descensus according to Post-Apostolic and Medieval Commentators from the First Century to the End of the Eleventh Century
- Appendix 2 Scriptural References
- Appendix 3 Other Sources and Analogues
- Appendix 4 Transcription and Images of fol. 120r
- Glossary
- Biblioigraphy
- Index
3 - Literary Analysis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2014
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Dedication
- Introduction
- 1 Palaeography, Codicology and Language
- 2 The Descensus Motif
- 3 Literary Analysis
- 4 Selected Comparative Studies and Analogous Literature
- Afterword
- Text and Translation
- Commentary
- Appendix 1 The Doctrine of the Descensus according to Post-Apostolic and Medieval Commentators from the First Century to the End of the Eleventh Century
- Appendix 2 Scriptural References
- Appendix 3 Other Sources and Analogues
- Appendix 4 Transcription and Images of fol. 120r
- Glossary
- Biblioigraphy
- Index
Summary
Although John the Baptist's Prayer occupies only 137 lines of alliterative verse, the content within boasts of a richly layered work of literary skill. The aim of this chapter is to investigate the poem within the context of specific themes that will enhance our understanding of the poem's main theme whilst also facilitating an appreciation of the poet's resourcefulness, imaginative power and commitment to his audience.
THE TITLE OF THE POEM
The poem has generally been known as The Descent into Hell ever since late commentators changed it from the previous English title The Harrowing of Hell. There is of course no title provided in the Exeter Book. Although there was a recognition that the name of the poem was not fitting, the new suggestion and the generally accepted title today is no more suitable than its predecessors. The issue about the title has not yet been resolved satisfactorily and the existing title of this Exeter Book poem has obviously been unsettling for more recent scholars as well. Some forty years ago, R. Trask recognized that the current title was unsuitable and suggested the title ‘Christ and John’ to replace the current one. While Trask points out that the original title hardly does the poem justice, he only alludes to the issue in passing and does not press the matter. I hope to demonstrate that the current name of the poem is unsuitable and suggest titles that would be more appropriate for it.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- John the Baptist's Prayer 'The Descent into Hell' from the Exeter BookText, Translation and Critical Study, pp. 53 - 103Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2014