Enjambment as a Test of Style in Old English Poetry

Abstract

This study investigates whether enjambment can be used as a test of style in Old English poetry. Enjambment has been mentioned in previous scholarship but has never been the focus of a lengthy study. Data derived from a close reading of 500 lines of Beowulf, Elene, Exodus, and Guthlac B identified six types of enjambment used by the poets with varying degrees of frequency. This indicates that enjambment was stylistic rather than formulaic; in other words, it was a choice based on the preferences of the poet. After analysis of how each poet used enjambment, this study concludes that enjambment can be viewed as a useful tool for critics of Old English poetry to consider when discussing differences between poems and poets.