eBook - PDF
Heroism in "The Battle of Maldon" and "Haraldskvæði"
A Comparative Study of Poetic Variation and Metrical Innovation in Early Medieval Verse
- 57 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
Heroism in "The Battle of Maldon" and "Haraldskvæði"
A Comparative Study of Poetic Variation and Metrical Innovation in Early Medieval Verse
About this book
Master's Thesis from the year 2026 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies, grade: Distinction, University of Nottingham (School of English), language: English, abstract: This thesis compares the Old English Battle of Maldon and the Old Norse Haraldskvæði to examine how early medieval poets adapted shared Germanic poetic traditions within different cultural contexts. Through analysis of textual transmission, narrative structure, metre, alliteration, poetic diction, and representations of heroism, the study argues that both poems are sophisticated literary constructions rather than passive survivals of oral tradition.
While Maldon presents a linear and chronicle-like narrative centred on loyalty and moral choice, Haraldskvæði employs a dialogic and episodic structure that frames royal authority within a mythic setting. Particular attention is given to metrical innovation, formulaic language, and foreign-derived vocabulary as reflections of cultural exchange during the Viking Age.
The thesis demonstrates that early medieval battle poetry functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as a means of shaping political legitimacy, cultural identity, and collective memory.
Trusted by 375,005 students
Access to over 1.5 million titles for a fair monthly price.
Study more efficiently using our study tools.
Information
Table of contents
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn how to download books offline
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.5M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1.5 million books across 990+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn about our mission
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more about Read Aloud
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS and Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app
Yes, you can access Heroism in "The Battle of Maldon" and "Haraldskvæði" by Michael Miener in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Literary Collections. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.