SOURCE: Hermann, John P. “The Theme of Spiritual Warfare in the Old English Judith.” Philological Quarterly 55, no. 1 (winter 1976): 1-9.

In the following essay, Hermann argues that the controlling principle underlying much of the characterization and selection of narrative events in Judith is the theme of spiritual warfare and not, as many scholars have argued, moral rectitude.

When Judith, recently returned from the decollation of Holofernes, formulates strategy for the upcoming battle with the Assyrians, it is clear in the Vulgate that the daybreak sortie she orders the Bethulians to make is not intended to bring victory in and of itself. It is only meant to trigger a predictable chain of events: the enemy watchmen will run off to awaken their slumbering leaders, Holofernes will be discovered wallowing in a pool of blood, and the Assyrian army, demoralized by the death of its general, will break ranks and flee...