I. Introduction (1-214):

  • Prologue (1-32)
  • Nightingale's attack (33-40, 56-138, 153-176)
  • Nightingale's proposal to debate (177-214)

II. Debate Proper (215-1652):

  • 1  Nightingale (217-252) - Owl (255-390)
  • 2. Nightingale (411-466) - Owl (473-542)
  • Heated exchange on procedural rules (543-555)
  • 3. Owl     (556-658) - Nightingale    (707-836)
  • 4. Owl     (847-932) - Nightingale  (955-1042)
  • 5. Owl (1045-1066) - Nightingale (1075-1174)
  • 6. Owl (1177-1290) - Nightingale (1298-1510)
  • 7. Owl (1515-1634) - Nightingale (1638-1652)

III. Conclusion (1653-1794)

This survey shows that O&N is a rigidly structured poem closely following the procedural rules of medieval scholastic disputations. In seven sessions each opponent has the opportunity of refuting the opponent's arguments and bringing forth their own.
All in all, the Nightingale has 751 lines and the Owl 793, whereas the narrator talks in 222 lines.

Survey: Owl and Nightingale
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