This book examines the depiction of the non-human world in the Exeter Book Riddle Collection, investigating humanity's action with, and attitudes towards, the rest of creation using the fields of eco-criticism and eco-theology. While much scholarly attention has been given to what the riddles have to say abuot human society and culture, about heroism, service, sex and war, little has been said about the natural world. The author argues that there is a programme of resistance to anthropocentrism at work in the riddles, whereby the riddles challenge human-centred ways of depicting and interpreting the created world: depictions of the marginalised perspectives of sentient and non-sentient beings such as trees and animals are not just a characteristic of theriddle genre, but are actively used to explore the point of view of the natural world and the impact humanity has on its non-human inhabitants. She also draws on eco-theology to deepen our understanding of the depiction of the natural world in the riddles, via the main themes of place, labour, creation, transformation, accountability, mastery and wisdom.0.
Humanity is a dominant presence in the Exeter Book riddle collection. It is frequently shown using, shaping and binding the physical world in which it lives. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientation within a vast, overwhelming cosmos. But the riddles also offer an eco-centric perspective, one that considers the natural origins of man-made products and the personal plight of useful human resources.
This study offers fresh insights into the collection, investigating humanity's interaction with, and attitudes towards, the rest of the created world. Drawing on the principles of eco-criticism and eco-theology, the study considers the cultural and biblical influences on the depiction of nature in the collection, arguing that the texts engage with post-lapsarian issues of exploitation, suffering and mastery. Depictions of marginalised perspectives of sentient and non-sentient beings, such as trees, ore and oxen, are not just characteristic of the riddle genre, but are actively used to explore the point of view of the natural world and the impact humanity has on its non-human inhabitants. The author not only explores the riddles' resistance to anthropocentrism, but challenges our own tendency to read these enigmas from a human-centred perspective.
Corinne Dale gained her PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Humanity is a dominant presence in the Exeter Book riddle collection. It is frequently shown using, shaping and binding the physical world in which it lives. The riddles depict master and craftsman and use the familiar human world as a point of orientation within a vast, overwhelming cosmos. But the riddles also offer an eco-centric perspective, one that considers the natural origins of man-made products and the personal plight of useful human resources.
This study offers fresh insights into the collection, investigating humanity's interaction with, and attitudes towards, the rest of the created world. Drawing on the principles of eco-criticism and eco-theology, the study considers the cultural and biblical influences on the depiction of nature in the collection, arguing that the texts engage with post-lapsarian issues of exploitation, suffering and mastery. Depictions of marginalised perspectives of sentient and non-sentient beings, such as trees, ore and oxen, are not just characteristic of the riddle genre, but are actively used to explore the point of view of the natural world and the impact humanity has on its non-human inhabitants. The author not only explores the riddles' resistance to anthropocentrism, but challenges our own tendency to read these enigmas from a human-centred perspective.
Corinne Dale gained her PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London.
An investigation of the non-human world in the Exeter Book riddles, drawing on the exciting new approaches of eco-criticism and eco-theology.
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