Envelope patterns in Genesis A and B

Abstract

Genesis A and B both make extensive, though different, use of envelope patterns. Although in a biblical paraphrase like Genesis A the use of larger structural patterns is a priori unlikely, the poet constantly reshapes his text and converts many episodes into envelope patterns. Such patterns are used for emphasis, the central element being put into relief. They are also occasionally used by the poet to force an interpretation on the reader: he justifies any shortcomings of God's elect by mentioning their great wisdom on either side of the narrative of their faults. In Genesis B, complex sets of interlocked envelope patterns characterize the speech of Satan and his emissary. Such circular patterns, which bring us back to the starting-point and yet give the illusion of logical reasoning, exemplify the major theme of this poem: the difficulty of distinguishing true teaching from lies. Envelope patterns also buid up the structure of Genesis B as a whole. In addition, the first two works of MS Junius XI, Genesis and Exodus, are united by the repetition of the same envelope pattern at the beginning of Genesis and towards the end of Exodus.