Copyright

Edward Pettit

Published On

2020-01-14

Page Range

pp. 287-292

Print Length

5 pages

11. A Tale of Two Creatures

The Theft and Recovery of Sunlight in Riddle 29

  • Edward Pettit (author)
Chapter of: The Waning Sword: Conversion Imagery and Celestial Myth in 'Beowulf' (pp. 287–292)

Chapter 11 continues the theme of moon-creatures as thieves of sunlight by analyzing an Old English riddle. Riddle 29 of the Exeter Book describes how a horned creature made off with sunlight and concealed this booty in its home, until another creature arrived on the scene and reclaimed its possession. Pettit identifies these as a crescent moon and the morning sun, arguing that they bear comparison to Grendel and Beowulf respectively.

Contributors

Edward Pettit

(author)