Древняя aнглийская проза (Ancient English Prose)
Ancient English prose
The
earliest English prose work is the law code of King
Aethelberht I of Kent. It was written in the very end of 6th
century. The 7th and 8th century prose was practical in
its character so a lot of laws and wills date back to this period.
The
history of literature of this period is closely connected with Bede
(673-735). This famous monk was probably the greatest teacher and the
best-known man of letters and scholar in all contemporary Europe. He is to have
translated the Gospel of St.John into Saxon, but the translation
is lost. He wrote in Latin on a vast range of subjects from natural science to
grammar and history. His most important work is the Ecclesiastical
History of the English People, which is really a history of England
from Julius Caesar’s invasion to 731. According to it we find out that Bede
could relate things simply and well. But during much of this period conditions
were unfavorable to writing and literacy in England declined sharply between
800 and the reign of King Alfred and then again after about 990.
The
deeds and thoughts of Alfred (849-901), king of the West
Saxons, remain a strong moral influence on the world. Posterity rightly gave
him the surname of “the Great”, as he is one of the comparatively few great men
of all time. He led a vigorous program to translate into English “certain books
that are necessary for all men to know”. His ill health and the wars with the
Danes did not keep him from trying to educate his people or from earning the
title, “father of English prose”. Although most of his works are translations
from the Latin, yet he has left the stamp of his originality. For example he
re-casted a Latin work on history and geography written in the 5th
century by Orosius. Alfred the Great omitted some parts, changed
others, added some interviews so this book is known as Alfred’s Orosius now.
Alfred
also translated Pastoral Rule in order to show the clergy how to
teach and care for their flocks. Alfred was fond of people and tried to examine
their souls on his works. For example, he wrote: “Let us love the man but hate
his sins“. His revision of the legal code, known as Alfred’s Laws,
shows his moral aim. Alfred also produced a work on moral philosophy, by
altering and amending the De Consolatione Philosophie of
Boethius. In simplicity and moral power, some of Alfred’s original matter in
this volume was not surpassed by any English writer for several hundred years.
Alfred's interest in the history of his people is
evidenced, in the stimulus he apparently gave to the recording of it in
systematic fashion. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was probably
originated in Alfred’s reign. This is the first history of any branch of the
Teutonic people in their own tongue. From annals
already existing and known Latin sources, a compiler put together (about 891)
an account of previous English history from the age of Julius Caesar.
Outstanding events falling in Alfred's reign were told "with breadth and
detail. This original version of the so-called Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was sent to
a number of centres of learning and there carried forward as official
supplements were circulated for addition to it. Local materials were also used.
The oldest surviving version, closest to Alfred's original project, is the
Parker manuscript (thus named because it was once in the possession of
Archbishop Parker). The Chronicle has come down to us in several different
texts. According as it was compiled or copied at different monasteries. The
entries, relating to earlier events were copied from Bede’s Ecclesiastical
History and from other Latin authorities. The Chronicle contains chiefly those
events which each year impressed the clerical compilers as the most important
in the history of the nation. This work is a fountainhead to which writers of
the history of those times must turn. Sometimes the narrative is extremely
vivid. For example the excellence of the portraiture of William the Conqueror
is evident.
The
Benedictine reform of the mid-10th century brought about a period of
lively literary activity. Aethelwold, bishop of Winchester
and one of the leaders of the reform, translated the rule of St.Benedict.
But the greatest and most prolific writer of this period was his pupil Aelfric.
This abbot followed Alfred’s example in writing native English prose. His chief
works are his Homilies, a series of sermons, and The Lives
of Saints. Although much of his writing is a compilation or a
translation from the Latin Fathers, it is often remarkably vigorous in
expression. To modern readers the most interesting of Aelfric’s writings is his
Colloquium, designed to teach Latin in the monastery of
Winchester. The pupils were required to learn the Latin transformation of his
dialogues in the Anglo-Saxon vernacular. Some of this dialogues are today
valuable illustrations of the social and industrial life of the time.
Wolfsan (died 1023) was a contemporary and friend of Aelfric.
Among (the homilies ascribed to him, the most famous and most eloquent is an
address to the people of England on the evils and calamities of his times.
Wolfsan of course regarded these quite simply as punishments (for moral
transgressions. Wulfstan's intense feeling and his mastery of oratorical style
raise his Sermon to the English above the more conventional ones
of the time warning about an imminent end of the world.
So by the end of ancient period English had been
established as a literary language with a polish and versatility unequalled
among European vernaculars.