Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH AND PEOPLE “Caedmon of Whitby” By Bede ( )

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby BEDE Known as Bede the Venerable Earliest English historian Earliest important prose writer

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby BEDE Wrote A History of the English Church and People –Originally written in Latin –Helped the English people take pride in their past –Contains legends, lives of saints, local traditions, and stories

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby A History of the English Church and People Caedmon of Whitby –Considered to be the first English religious poet

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby “Caedmon of Whitby” Gifted with the ability to turn Scripture into beautiful poetry in the English language –Scripture originally in Latin

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby History of Caedmon Lived a secular life for many years At a feast, when it was his turn to sing, he left because he was not gifted in singing After leaving, fell asleep in the stables While sleeping, he dreamt he was visited by a man who asked him to sing a song about the creation of all things After originally refusing, Caedmon attempted to sing the song

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby History of Caedmon Praise we the Fashioner now of Heaven’s fabric, The majesty of his might and his mind’s wisdom, Work of the world-warden, worker of all wonders, How he the Lord of Glory everlasting, Wrought first for the race of men Heaven as a rooftree, Then made he Middle Earth to be their mansion.

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby History of Caedmon Poetic Devices –Alliteration “majesty…might…mind’s” –Simile “Heaven as a rooftree”

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby History of Caedmon When he awoke, Caedmon remembered the verse and was able to compose other verses just as beautiful Caedmon performed before Church leaders, and all agreed he was gifted by God Caedmon joined the monastery

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby Sang Songs About: The Creation of the world The origin of the human race The whole story of Genesis Israel’s exodus from Egypt and entry into the promised land Christ –Incarnation –Passion –Resurrection –Ascension into Heaven The coming of the Holy Spirit The teaching of the Apostles

Geschke/British Literature Caedmon of Whitby Sang Songs About: The terrors of the Last Judgment Hell The Kingdom of Heaven The blessings and judgment of God