English Literature / Unit 3 ENL 0216 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Anglo-Saxon Riddles
Captions available
The idea
The Exeter Book holds the most famous Old English riddles, which describe something obliquely and leave the answer unstated. Their subjects range from animals and weather to weapons and writing, and some carry double meanings. Earlier Latin riddles printed the answer as the title.
In practice
Describe it slant; never name it.
Where people slip
The answer is not printed in the Exeter Book.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for English Literature