As pointed out by the other answer, Anglo-Saxon literature is too broad a topic to sum up in a single reply. If you narrow down your inquiry to a more specific field within Anglo-Saxon literature, then it is much easier to do that.
Here are some common themes and ideas in Anglo-Saxon literature to get you started:
- Heroism and warrior culture is a prominent theme. This can be most clearly seen in the high school/college staple Beowulf, where the titular hero goes from a brash young warrior out for glory and adventure to a wise warrior king willing to lay down his life to preserve his people.
- Gender roles in Anglo-Saxon literature are typically quite strict. Men are in active roles as warriors, while women are relegated to the hearth and home, acting as gracious hostesses. Wealthow, the good queen in Beowulf , is a typical example of such...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
- a feminine role; however, some Anglo-Saxon poems feature women who complicate those roles, such as in the Anglo-SaxonJudith fragment, where we have a female warrior confronting and then slaying her people's enemy with nothing but bravery and divine aid on her side.
- The intersection of pagan culture and Christianity figures prominently. Anglo-Saxon culture underwent a period of cultural transition with the introduction of the Christian faith. The Anglo-Saxons integrated Christian beliefs into their already existing warrior culture, sometimes even portraying Jesus as a kind of warrior-king (see "The Dream of the Rood"). Beowulf is once again the most famous example of this, with a Christian narrator sharing his perspective on this tale of pagan warriors.
There was a similar question to this in the realm of American Literature. I am not sure this can be answered or discussed because it is too broad of a topic. To discuss "Anglo Saxon Literature" is an impossible topic for anything to be written or discussed with relevancy or meaning. Rather, you might want to receive or post clarification that helps to narrow down the topic into something that can be discussed with a greater sense of pointedness and direction. For example, "discuss the heroic quest in Anglo Saxon Literature." We could then analyze Beowulf and its implications on the hero and his quest. Another topic would be to analyze the role of women in Anglo Saxon literature. Essentially, if the topic is narrowed, a more directed and precise answer can be given.