medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
In my book on pilgrimage in medieval literature I suggested that
'The broader theological perspective of life as pilgrimage may help to elucidate this hitherto puzzling phrase. Viewed in this context, heaven is the first homeland from which Satan was expelled (and which Christian pilgrims are exhorted to seek); the second homeland is Paradise, from which Adam, Eve and their descendants have been excluded through sin; and the žriddan ešyl is earth, the ošerne ešel to which Adam and Eve were despatched in lines Genesis 927 and 962. Humankind may still aspire to heaven, or be condemned to hell; meanwhile earth is their place of exile, a temporary homeland which must be renounced if they are to reach the permanent joys of heaven, the homeland for which they have been intended since before the Fall.'
Hope this is helpful. I knew I'd written something on this but had to look it up - it's been a while!
Dee
Dr Dee Dyas
Director, Christianity and Culture
Humanities Research Centre
University of York
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http://www.york.ac.uk/projects/christianityandculture/ <http://www.york.ac.uk/projects/christianityandculture/>
<http://www.york.ac.uk/projects/christianityandculture/>
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From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture on behalf of Cormack, Margaret Jean
Sent: Thu 11/02/2010 21:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] Old English Genesis, Exodus
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Thanks to all who responded to my query about Genesis. I (or rather, my
student) now has a very specific query which
I hope will be meaningful to those familiar with the poem.
In Genesis 1485-92, what is the 'third home' that God speaks of to Noah?
Do we have a clear idea of how the universe, heaven(s) and hell were
envisaged in Anglo Saxon England at the time the
poem was composed?
Thanks in advance,
Meg
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