Angol
Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, printed single-sided, grade: 1,3, (Anglistische Literaturwissenschaft), course: Riddles, Proverbs, Nursery Rhymes, language: English, abstract: The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory defines riddles as an ancient and universal form of literature commonly consisting of a puzzle question. There are collections of riddles in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Greek and Latin literature. Well-known is the sphinx as riddling beast in Grecian mythology and literature. Western riddles collections begin with the Latin collections by Symphosius in the late antiquity followed by Aldhelm s and Tatwine s collections. The earliest known English riddles are recorded in the Exeter Book. They originate from the 10th century. These riddles have a very special character. Craig Williamson describes them as a metaphoric and metamorphic celebration of the life in the eye of the Anglo-Saxon. The Exeter Riddles will be topic to this paper. First their history and transmission will the thematised by having a closer look at the Exeter Cathedral, its library and the Exeter Book. Then typical features of the riddles shall be discussed. Afterwards an example will illustrate these. Outline:1.Introduction2.The Exeter Cathedral3.The Exeter Book4.The Exeter Book Riddles5.Riddle Nr.336.Sources
