by Cynewulf fl. ?800

Annunciation

Cynewulf reflects on the mystery of the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary.

800

Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066

Introduction

‘Christ’ is an Anglo-Saxon poem in three parts by Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne, in the Kingdom of Northumbria). In this extract, the poet reflects on the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, to tell her that she is to become the earthly mother of the Son of God.

by Cynewulf fl. ?800

freely translated from the Old English

See Luke 1:26-38.

YOUNG was the woman,
an untouched maid, he took for mother;
it was with no man’s caresses of love
that the bride grew great with child.
Never then, nor since, in this world
was any woman’s reward its equal;
it was Mystery, the Master’s secret.
All spiritual grace spread the earth;
at his coming many things long cloaked in darkness
were brought to light by the Lord of life:
ancient lore, the lays of prophets;
for the Creator unlocks the secrets of every prophecy
through hearts ready to praise his name.

“Curiosity makes you ask how I kept my maidenhood,
my inward hold, yet became mother
of the Measurer’s mighty Son. To that mystery
no man is party; yet Christ made known
that in David’s dear kinswoman
Eve’s offence is all effaced,
The curse lifted, the lowlier sex exalted.
Hope now springs that endless bliss awaits
both man and woman, in the world to come,
far above in angel-joy, with the Father of Truth.”

by Cynewulf fl. ?800

freely translated from the Old English

Based on the Old English of ‘Christ’, by Cynewulf. For a literal translation, see Anglo-Saxon Poetry.

Précis

Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf reminds us that Mary was chosen by God to be his mother even though she remained a virgin throughout. Although this is a mystery, he says, the coming of Christ itself throws light on many baffling Old Testament prophecies, and the honour paid to Mary clearly proves that women are the equal of men in God’s eyes.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Annunciation

Introduction

Précis

Questions for Critics

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