IMC 2015: Sessions

Session 1601: Riddling in Anglo-Saxon England and Beyond, II: Eco-Criticism and Animal Studies

Thursday 9 July 2015, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:	The Riddle Ages: An Anglo-Saxon Riddle Blog
Organisers:	Megan Cavell, Department of English, Durham University Jennifer Neville, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London
Moderator/Chair:	Jennifer Neville, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London
Paper 1601-a	'Be sonde, sæwealle neah': Place as Descriptor in the Exeter Book Riddles (Language: English) Corinne Dale, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London Index terms: Daily Life, Language and Literature - Old English, Mentalities
Paper 1601-b	A Poetics of Empathy?: Human-Animal Relationships in Anglo-Saxon Riddles (Language: English) Megan Cavell, Department of English, Durham University Index terms: Daily Life, Language and Literature - Old English
Paper 1601-c	Monstrous Healing: Aldhelm's Leech Riddle and the Nature of Appearance (Language: English) Peter Buchanan, Department of English & Philosophy, New Mexico Highlands University Index terms: Language and Literature - Latin, Philosophy
Abstract	The papers in Session 2 approach Old English and Latin riddling in relation to emerging eco-critical and animal studies research. Whether addressing the animal world or inanimate natural phenomena, together all three papers engage with theoretical perspectives in order to shift scholarly focus beyond the human realm that has traditionally dominated Anglo-Saxon literary discussion. 'Reforming and Renewing' our understanding of a popular genre, this session will explore how a medieval culture negotiated its relationship with the natural realm, over which it had little control.