The interaction of the written and the oral traditions in the Old English Phoenix poem

The article examines the transformation of the image of the sacred bird, the Phoenix, in the Old English poem of the same name, compared to its Latin source, ‘Carmen de ave phoenice’, attributed to the early Christian writer Lactantius. The Latin written tradition of depicting the image of the sacred bird undergoes significant changes in the Old English poem under the influence of the oral Germanic tradition through the introduction of formulaic diction and heroic-epic motifs. The use of oral poetic techniques supports a Christian interpretation of the Phoenix legend. The Anglo-Saxon poet excludes all details of the Latin narrative, rooted in ancient pagan mythology, but deepens the Christian symbolism of the poem by using Germanic epic terminology. Thus, the Phoenix’s longevity and immortality are revealed through the epic motifs of ‘old age’ and ‘youth’, characteristic of the Old English poem ‘Beowulf’. Following the Latin source, the poet presents the Phoenix as the companion of the sun, but uses military social terms that hint at spiritual warfare. The motif of exile, characteristic of ‘heroic elegies’, takes on a different meaning, transforming into a motif of ‘paradise regained’. Thus, the techniques of Germanic epic narrative not only facilitated the cultural adaptation of the ancient story but also enhanced its religious significance, enriching the dialogue of cultures within traditional poetic art.

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