THE ORIGINS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE: ANGLO-SAXON POETRY AND PROSE

Abstract

This article explores the beginnings of English literature during the Anglo-Saxon period (450–1066 CE). It discusses how oral Germanic traditions and Christian influences shaped early English poetry and prose. Key works such as Beowulf, The Dream of the Rood, and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle are analyzed to show the fusion of heroic and religious themes. The article highlights major figures like Caedmon, Bede, and King Alfred, emphasizing their role in developing the English literary language. It concludes that Anglo-Saxon literature laid the foundation for all later English writing.