The Syntax of Beowulf

<p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In this monumental contribution to Old English philology Geoffrey Russom integrates important discoveries about syntax meter and oral-formulaic composition to interpret striking differences between Old English poetry and prose including many differences that have previously evaded detection. The prehistory of English word order is traced from about 300 BCE when alliterative meter was born to the era of </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Beowulf</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> (about 700 CE). Evolution of poetic word order is then explained as a response to syntactic evolution -- a response significantly delayed by formulaic poets who valued their ancient technique. An analysis is provided for every clause in </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Beowulf</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> with each concrete example accompanied by verse numbers for all similar examples. Russom's integrated approach brings to light general principles of verse structure and formulaic composition that apply in other languages and other poetic traditions as well.</span></p>