The document summarizes the Anglo-Saxon poem "Deor's Lament", which appears in the Exeter Book from around 960-990 AD. The poem is a lament by a man named Deor comparing the loss of his position as a bard to greater tragedies in history. He recounts tales of figures like Weland the smith, Beadohild mourning her brothers' deaths, and a man named Geat mourning his lost love. Each tale is followed by the line "That passed away; this also may" to express how hardship is overcome. The poem themes are the inevitability of fate but also finding courage despite life's difficulties.

1. English Literature
ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD
Deor’s Lament
Weland endured the agony of exile: an indomitable smith wracked by grief.
He suffered countless sorrows; indeed, some say sorrows were his only companions in that
frozen island dungeon where Nithad fettered him: so many strong-but-supple sinew-bands
binding the better man. That passed away; this also may.
Beadohild mourned her brothers' deaths, bemoaning even more her own sad state once she
discovered herself with child. She knew nothing good could ever come of it.That passed away;
this also may.
We have heard that the Geat's moans for Matilda, his lady, waxed limitless, that his sorrowful
love for her robbed him of regretless sleep. That passed away; this also may.
For thirty winters Theodric ruled the Mæring stronghold with an iron hand; many acknowledged
this and moaned. That passed away; this also may.
We have heard too of Ermanaric's wolfish ways, of how he cruelly ruled the realm of the Goths.
That was a grim king! Many a warrior sat, full of cares and maladies of the mind, wishing
constantly that his kingdom might be overthrown. That passed away; this also may.
If a man sits long enough, sorrowful and anxious, bereft of joy, his mind constantly darkening,
soon it seems to him that his troubles are limitless. Then he must consider that the wise Lord
often moves through the earth granting some men honor, glory and fame, but others only
shame and hardship.
This I can say for myself: that for awhile I was the Heodening's scop, dear to my lord. My name
was Deor. For many winters I held a fine office, faithfully serving a just lord. But now
Heorrenda a man skillful in songs, has received the estate the protector of warriors had
promised me. That passed away; this also may.
DEOR'S LAMENT: A BRIEF ANALYSIS

2. Summary
"Deor's Lament" appears in the Exeter Book, which has been dated to around 960-990 AD. The
poem might be considerably older than the book itself, as many ancient poems were passed
down orally for generations before they were finally written down. The poem is a lament in
which someone named Deor compares the loss of his job to seemingly far greater tragedies of
the past.
Genre
"Deor's Lament" is, as its name indicates, a lament. The poem has also been classified as an
Anglo-Saxon elegy or dirge.
Theme
The poem's theme is one common to Anglo-Saxon poetry and literature: that a man cannot
escape his fate and thus can only meet it with courage and fortitude.
Plot
This is an ancient Anglo-Saxon poem, commonly known as "Deor" or "Deor's Lament." In it, our
narrator, Deor, tells how he has fallen from grace in his position as a scop (a bard, storyteller)
in the court of the Hedenings at the hand of Heorrenda. A common repeating line through the
poem is "That was overcome, so may this be." That repetition is cited through the many
historical and mythological (is there any difference, really?) examples Deor gives, of people or
places in painful situations of suffering who overcome. It feels like Deor's own personal tonic,
himself reassuring himself that things can change, untenable situations can be overcome, and
life can take on a positive aspect once more.
A summary of each stanza;
Stanza 1 Summary:

3. Weyland was a strong man, and he was used to suffering, longing, and "wintry exile." One
time, a lesser man, Nithhad, captured him and bound him with tendons. However, Weland
overcame that particular hardship, and the narrator will also be able to overcome his struggles.
Stanza 2 Summary:
Beadohild had also experienced sorrow in her life, especially when her brothers died. However,
she experienced an even higher level of distress when she found out that she was pregnant.
She knew that nothing good could come out of that situation. However, Beadohild surmounted
this obstacle, and the narrator believes that he can do the same.
Stanza 3 Summary:
The narrator next presents the example of Geat, who was in love with Maethild. Geat's love
soon grew too great for him to withstand, and he was no longer able to sleep. He managed to
overcome this barrier, and similarly, the narrator will overcome his.
Stanza 4 Summary:
The indication in this stanza is that Theodoric ruled his realm with an iron hand, the inhabitants
during his reign were burdened by this but they were able to get through with it.
Stanza 5 Summary:
Ermanaric had a "wolfish" mind and ruled over the realm of the Goths. During his reign,
however, many of the warriors in the kingdom began to despair. They longed for the day that
Ermanaric would be overthrown. Ermanaric overcame the difficulties of his reign, and the
narrator will similarly be able to withstand the challenges in his own life.
Stanza 6 Summary:
The narrator goes on to share his belief that when a man is sorrowful and has no pleasure in
his life, the sadness can consume him. This man may start to believe that God above follows a
shrewd pattern of granting glory to some men and heaping sadness on others.
Stanza 7 Summary:
Finally the narrator reveals his identity and shares his own story. He was formerly known as
Deor, and served as a scop for the Heodeningas. He was a favorite of his kind lord. Although
Deor served faithfully for many years, he was ousted and replaced by Heorrenda, a skillful bard.
The narrator claims that he was able to overcome that struggle, and he hopes that he will be
able to remain resilient.