The chronotope in Old English hagiography (the problem of genre classification)

Abstract

The article explores the spatial and temporal coordinates of the narrative in five Old English hagiographies of the Virgin Martyr Juliana (by Cynewulf, 8^th – 9^th centuries), the Virgin Martyrs Agatha and Agnes (by Ælfric Grammaticus, late 10^th century), the Holy Bishop Nicholas of Myra, and the ascetic Hermit Aegidius (anonymous, 11^th century). There are three types of coordinates that determine the genre specifics of the work: the earthly world, the sacred (biblical) world, and the transcendent world. In the life of the Holy Bishop, the earthly realm takes precedence over the other two, reflecting the nature of his activities and power. The life of the ascetic Hermit significantly references Gospel events and his connections to the transcendent world. In the lives of the Martyred Virgins, the transcendent world is emphasized, while earthly coordinates are diminished, and biblical allusions serve an enlightening role. In the poetic life of the Virgin Martyr Juliana, the influence of the Germanic mythoepic tradition is evident, manifesting in the episation and hyperbolisation of descriptions through the use of heroic-epic motifs and phraseology.