Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 4901
  • Author(s)/Creator(s):
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  • Title: Contrasting Narrative Emphases in the Old English Poem "Judith" and Aelfric's Paraphrase of the Book of Judith
  • Source: Neuphilologische Mitteilungen 96, ( 1995): Pages 61 - 65.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Ælfric, Abbot of Eynsham- Homily on Judith Bible Exegesis- Judith Judith, Old English Poem Literature- Verse Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: British Isles
  • Century: 10-11
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  • Abstract: The Old English Judith narratives can be seen as contrasting expositions or guided readings of the Book of Judith, reflecting particular authorial concerns. "Judith" emphasizes the themes of opposition and of resolution and faith. Aelfric's narrative highlights the relationship of God to his people, and is concerned to place the story in the wider context of Old Testament history. Aelfric's exegetical passage at the end of his paraphrase focuses particularly on chastity (unlike the paraphrase itself). This exegesis is a 'detachable' and highly selective commentary not on Aelfric's own paraphrase but on the biblical original. The exegesis, but not the narrative, is insistently directed at an audience of nuns. The article shows that the story of Judith engages the interest of Anglo- Saxon writers but that they find its significance to be far from monolithic. [Reproduced by permission of the Modern Language Society.]
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  • Year of Publication: 1995.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 00283754