The Cultural Logic of Wisdom's Containment in Anglo-Saxon Literature
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Date
2010-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Changes made in the translation of the Regula pastoralis into Old English and the adaptation of traditional metaphors in The Metrical Epilogue to the Pastoral Care demonstrate a tradition that places great value on containing thought. The ecclesiastical Latinate tradition, the most stringent example of hierarchical control of wisdom, allows for a case of sharing thoughts. Wisdom must fill laypeople's spatial minds so that they can strengthen the church. Wisdom is once more shared for the sake of improvement, but it is not shared immoderately. Only an exact amount of wisdom must fill the mind. Should there be too much, it will overflow the capacity of a layperson's mind and be lost. Should there be too little, there will be room in a layperson's mind for evil. Once more wisdom moves from different containers with an emphasis on control. Thus, while subtle differences exist between each of the identifiable authors and the various texts examined above, there were two watchwords in an Anglo-Saxon ethics of wisdom exchange. No matter the tradition, no matter the genera, these two concepts prevailed: control and improvement.
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Keywords
Old English, Anglo-Saxon, Aelfric, Pastoral Care, Wisdom, containment