Rambaran-Olm, M.R. (2017) Descent into Hell/John the Baptist's Prayer. In: Echard, S. and Rouse, R. (eds.) The Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature in Britain. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 9781118396988 (doi: 10.1002/9781118396957.wbemlb502)
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Abstract
The Descent into Hell or John the Baptist's Prayer is one of a group of shorter religious, Old English poems contained in the Exeter Book. The 137-line alliterative poem focuses on a narrative involving John the Baptist as he awaits Christ's descent into hell on Easter-eve. Liturgical cues throughout the poem suggest that it may have been composed to accompany or replace a longer Easter sermon. Narrative, structural, and linguistic inconsistencies have led previous scholars to criticize various aspects of the poem with much of the scholarly critique focusing on the poem's inferiority in relation to other descensus narratives. However, the poem has had a resurgence in interest with a reinterpretation focusing on the theme of baptism.
| Item Type: | Book Sections |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Rambaran-Olm, Miss Mary |
| Authors: | Rambaran-Olm, M.R. |
| College/School: | College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Literature |
| Journal Name: | The Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature in Britain |
| Publisher: | Wiley Blackwell |
| ISBN: | 9781118396988 |
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