Myth in Early Northwest Europe
Stefan Jurasinski
STEPHEN GLOSECKI, ed., Myth in Early Northwest Europe. Arizona Studies the Middle Ages and Renaissance 21/Medieval Texts 320. Tempe, AZ: ACMRS Brepols, 2007. Pp. xli, 338. isbn: 978-2-503-52665-2. $47. It is a credit to editor of this volume, scholar who did much his own right enliven anthropological approaches early Germanic literatures, that just about all essays gathered Europe stimulate reflection nature myth both as theoretical problem relation particulars frequently studied texts. Though are by no means uniformly persuasive, none seems waste time or offers an inept handling evidence. If there one reason for complaint (and minor at that), it collection avoids disunity unevenness bedevil so many recent essay collections limiting its scope. title implies broader focus, ten fourteen contributors specialists Old English, most being from American departments English. Work these scholars has appeared number collections, thus not volume which novel ideas particularly abundant. Many seem condensations arguments developed greater length elsewhere. Unsurprisingly, given orientation majority contributors, Beowulf looms large, though always where we would expect it. The begins with John Niles's 'True Stories Other Lies' (a version appears also author's English Heroic Poems Social Life [2007]), lengthy ambitious meditation on relationship between fictions truth focuses only occasionally medieval Several sort, reflecting general eschewing focus specific interpretive problems: obviously case contributions Craig R. Davis ('Theories History Traditional Plots') himself ('Stranded Narrative: Myth, Metaphor, Metrical Charm'). former, concerned mechanisms traditional narratives perpetuate themselves through time, attractive discussion Aristotle's Poetics light other works literary theory concludes some contentious assertions reception late Anglo-Saxon England. For alone, could be profitably used classroom. Glosecki's piece more specialized two, focusing initially set texts lately come receive useful attention scholars. But illustrate points will interest audience ritual performance. This editor's very Introduction fine examples characteristic approach. takes somewhat postmodern turn Geoffrey Koziol's contribution ('Truth Its Consequences: Why Carolingianists Don't Speak Myth'), which, Foucauldian fashion, credits Carolingian Francia 'bring[ing] into center European political, legal, religious discourse creat[ing] technology ascertain institutions enforce it' (p. 94). brilliant volume; command range difficult materials elegance argumentation struck reviewer deeply impressive. often scholarly engage imagination extent, claims upon too sweeping exuberantly made. One 'technologies' he refers, example-private confession-was devised Irish ecclesiastics before introduced Francia, earliest manuals confessors antedate period considerably. …
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