Literature has told many stories, from the dawn of creation to post apocalyptic societies, shaping the minds and societies of all. Literature also tells the story of what society values and ideals, their struggles and triumphs. Old English literature is no exception. Another way in which all stories, share something in common is the idea of a hero and his deeds. An example of this idea of the hero is seen particularly in the story of Beowulf. Beowulf exemplifies the ideas of an Anglo-Saxon society in the idea of paying a wergild, the value placed on a person’s life. In addition to wergild there is also defending one’s people against their enemy, in this story, Grendel. The final way in which Beowulf exemplifies a hero is through being remembered
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Beowulf’s father was Ecgtheow and when Beowulf was a child his father killed a nobleman of the Wulfing tribe, Heathloaf. Wergild “is the value of a man’s life, payable to the family by murder” (Perez and Arkelian, What is a Wergild?, www.pace.edu) and in the history of the wergild, it is determined by one's status, age, gender, and wealth. When one commits a crime, such as murder, he has a high price to pay. Ecgtheow could not pay this high price, which could cause his death as the family of the victim could seek out vengeance on the perpetrator. Hrothgar stepped in, helped Ecgtheow and “Healed the feud by paying” (Heaney 33) the debt for him. Beowulf’s father died before he could repay the debt he owed to Hrothgar. This meant Beowulf now had to pay the debt in place of his father. Beowulf paid this debt by traveling to Denmark when he heard of Hrothgar’s the great hall was being terrorized by Grendel. This is one of the main reasons why Beowulf goes to Denmark after he hears of Hrothgar’s troubles and he knows that he can help. When Beowulf arrives, Hrothgar reminds Beowulf of the debt he owes by again saying “I healed the feud by paying: I shipped a treasure trove to the Wulfings and Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance” (Heaney 33). This reminded Beowulf to not forget the wergild owed and would pay it by killing Grendel, because it would be a crime if he did …show more content…
Through the epic old English poem of Beowulf, one comes to know that the Anglo-Saxons valued a hero who defended one’s country and defeated the enemy against all odds, even at the cost of their life. They also determine the value of a person’s life and how much you are worth. Finally, they also believed in an immorality in the sense of being remembered for the deeds they did in this life, weather through a memorial or a poem. It also showed the societies similar values and ideals. Anglo-Saxon society has helped today’s Western society define laws, like the difference between a pre-meditated murder or manslaughter or valuing someone of higher status. In addition to helping Western society define laws, they have helped establish part of the English language through words, such as daddy or basket. This shows that societies of the past still shape us today in our values and ideals. Because of stories, like Beowulf, it helps us to better understand the Anglo-Saxon society in what they valued and how they live their lives, one with honor and glory to be remembered for years to come. In addition to understanding the Anglo-Saxon society it helps people to better understand their own society and who it is influenced
Beowulf’s father was Ecgtheow and when Beowulf was a child his father killed a nobleman of the Wulfing tribe, Heathloaf. Wergild “is the value of a man’s life, payable to the family by murder” (Perez and Arkelian, What is a Wergild?, www.pace.edu) and in the history of the wergild, it is determined by one's status, age, gender, and wealth. When one commits a crime, such as murder, he has a high price to pay. Ecgtheow could not pay this high price, which could cause his death as the family of the victim could seek out vengeance on the perpetrator. Hrothgar stepped in, helped Ecgtheow and “Healed the feud by paying” (Heaney 33) the debt for him. Beowulf’s father died before he could repay the debt he owed to Hrothgar. This meant Beowulf now had to pay the debt in place of his father. Beowulf paid this debt by traveling to Denmark when he heard of Hrothgar’s the great hall was being terrorized by Grendel. This is one of the main reasons why Beowulf goes to Denmark after he hears of Hrothgar’s troubles and he knows that he can help. When Beowulf arrives, Hrothgar reminds Beowulf of the debt he owes by again saying “I healed the feud by paying: I shipped a treasure trove to the Wulfings and Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance” (Heaney 33). This reminded Beowulf to not forget the wergild owed and would pay it by killing Grendel, because it would be a crime if he did …show more content…
Through the epic old English poem of Beowulf, one comes to know that the Anglo-Saxons valued a hero who defended one’s country and defeated the enemy against all odds, even at the cost of their life. They also determine the value of a person’s life and how much you are worth. Finally, they also believed in an immorality in the sense of being remembered for the deeds they did in this life, weather through a memorial or a poem. It also showed the societies similar values and ideals. Anglo-Saxon society has helped today’s Western society define laws, like the difference between a pre-meditated murder or manslaughter or valuing someone of higher status. In addition to helping Western society define laws, they have helped establish part of the English language through words, such as daddy or basket. This shows that societies of the past still shape us today in our values and ideals. Because of stories, like Beowulf, it helps us to better understand the Anglo-Saxon society in what they valued and how they live their lives, one with honor and glory to be remembered for years to come. In addition to understanding the Anglo-Saxon society it helps people to better understand their own society and who it is influenced