Give a critical estimate of Old English prose with special

reference to any two writers.

English literature is no exception to the universal truth
that prose comes than poetry. The development of Old
English prose does not go back to earlier Germanic-
origins, as the poetry does; it takes place wholly in
England, and as a result of the Christianization of
England.
The birth of English prose is intimately associated
with the name of Alfred, who learnt Latin and
translated a number of classical works. His genuine
translated works are – ‘Consolations’, ‘Soliloquies’ and
‘Pastoral Care’. Alfred also instituted the ‘Anglo –
Saxon prose.’ This cultivation of English prose started out
of political and practical, rather than artistic, urge. The
aesthetic appeal is not consciously aimed at in Alfred’s
time. Yet effectively King Alfred is the father as well as
patron of English prose.
Anglo – Saxon prose, specially homiletic prose,
reached its highest point of perfection in the hand of
Aelfric, who was known for his grammar. He was the
most accomplished and prolific prose–writer of his age.
His extant prose works include the ‘Catholic Homilies’,
two series of sermons and ‘The Lives of Saints’.
Aelfric’s prose style is vigorous and simple, natural,
easy, and alliterative. It is the befitting style for
expressing complicated thought onto narrative form. His
‘Colloquy’ is written in dialogue form. ‘The Lives of the
Saints’, the Biblical commentaries, translations and
paraphrase contain considerable literary merit beside
their ethical value and Christian significance.
To conclude our discussion with Legouis, “On the
whole, Anglo-Saxon prose is much nearer than the poetry
to modern English. The poetry was archaic, retaining
obsolete words and expression, and the alliterative
periphrases of the past; the prose was either the speech in
daily use or modeled on the Latin which was the universal
language of educated Europe, and thus put all scholars on
equal plane”