The Function of the Epic in Latin Culture: The Waltharius And Carolingian Attitudes Towards Marriage
John O. Ward
When Virgil wrote his Aeneid he was, according to Brooks, Otis, giving new breath and life a form some 700 years obsolete'!. The present paper surveys the history of Latin epic in 1200 after Virgil's death, finds 'obsolete form' still living, and, indeed, enjoying, from ninth century onwards, considerable revival, revival that reached climax with so-called much discussed 'Renaissance Twelfth Century'2 How do we explain this phenomenon Was it pale, atavistic, anachronistic reflection 'unexampled metamorphosis ... accomplished' by Virgil, 'quite thing literature'J, or was linked vital threads nco-Latin culture central middle ages western Europe? 'epic' tired product antiquarian schools after-glow Graeco-Roman mode expression that enabled contemporaries illuminate major problems their day for cultivated audience persons closely involved management current social political problems') I hope confirm what follows impression remained frequently practised centuries followed fall Roman Empire, suited exploration largest most perplexing contemporary problems. My illustration will be late Carolingian poem known as Waltharius, nd links believe exist between composition bishops were encountering connection marital legislation attitudes church. In brief, propose author consciously reshaping older Germanic material suit clerical tastes attitudes. His purpose partly poetic, express heroic themes Virgilian hexameters4, is, reduce legend pleasurable entertaining reading classes utilitarian, provide leading clergy legendary would suitably underline view relationship aristocratic men women upper wished impart -for quite practical reasons -to lay contemporaries. elaboration these ideas break into two parts. first deals tradition inherited ages, they did it; second concentrate on an Waltharius faced later times.
Sydney Studies in Society and Culture