From Cinis to Asce. A diplomatic-interpretative digital edition of the Old English Phoenix.

The focal point of this thesis is the Old English poem The Phoenix. In conjunction with an analysis of the poem, the thesis provides a proposal for a diplomatic-interpretative digital edition of The Phoenix to lay the ground for future research on the topic. Currently, no digital edition of the poem is available, and the last printed edition was published in 1964. The first chapter focuses on the literary and cultural landscape in Anglo-Saxon England. Initially, the focus is placed on King Alfred’s efforts toward producing literature in the vernacular. Afterward, Ælfric’s strategies of translation and consequent linguistic phenomena in the context of the Benedictine Reform are observed. The second chapter is devoted to the analysis of The Phoenix. Following an overview of the Exeter Book, in which the poem is contained, the chapter offers information regarding the background and critical editions of the poem. The chapter continues with an analysis of the content and symbology of The Phoenix and closes with a brief consideration on the possible author of the poem. The final chapter focuses on the encoding of the edition. After introducing digital scholarly editions, the chapter provides information on the tools used to encode The Phoenix on a digital support. Additionally, the chapter examines the editorial choices made during the encoding of the poem. Lastly, the chapter focuses on the visualization of the edition and on the issues that arose during the encoding of the poem.