Compare and contrast the lyric poetry of the Anglo-Saxon period to the Renaissance based on the selections you read in the Anglo-Saxon Period: 449–1066 unit and the Renaissance: 1485–1660 unit. Describe what literary devices were commonly used and what themes were most frequently addressed in both periods. Include at least one specific example from each period. Your response should be at least one paragraph long.
The lyric poetry of the Anglo-Saxon period and the Renaissance differed significantly in terms of their themes and literary devices used. In the Anglo-Saxon period, the predominant themes were heroic valor, loyalty, and the fleeting nature of life. The literary devices commonly used included kennings (a metaphorical expression), alliteration, and repetition. An example of this is found in the poem "The Seafarer," where the speaker reflects on the hardships of life at sea, using kennings such as "whale-road" to describe the ocean.
On the other hand, the lyric poetry of the Renaissance focused more on love, beauty, and human emotions. The literary devices used during this period included metaphors, similes, and personification. An example of this can be seen in Shakespeare's sonnet 18, where he compares his beloved to a summer's day and declares her beauty eternal. The use of metaphors and similes in this sonnet embodies the Renaissance interest in exploring the complexities of human emotions.
Overall, while both periods of lyric poetry share similarities in their use of literary devices, such as metaphors, they differ greatly in terms of themes. The Anglo-Saxon period focused more on heroic ideals, while the Renaissance period centered around love and human experience.