Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Robert E. Diamond. "The Diction of the Signed Poems of Cynewulf." Philological Quarterly, 38:228-41.

Analyzes the diction of the four poems customarily attributed to Cynewulf (Elene, Juliana, Fates of the Apostles, and Christ II) for formulaic phraseology, finding them 43% formulaic, with 20% whole -verse repeats. Interprets these figures as evidence that the poems were composed in the traditional style, but feels they are inconclusive on the subject of orality. Disavows belief in the necessary connection between formulaic structure and oral composi tion.
Area: OE