Ariana Wilde A Dollar a Day Keeps Death Away
As one version of an oral tale-which vary greatly depending on the tale teller-, the Beowulf readers are familiar with reflects the morals and values of its circa tenth century recorder as well as those of the sixth century setting. The recorder of Beowulf uses several of the characteristics of epic poems in an attempt to instigate the generous and charitable behavior that (presumably) he views as morally correct. Throughout the poem, the recorder wields a variety of epithets to characterize the heroic figures, whom the Anglo-Saxon audience admires and strives to emulate, as lavish givers. The main hero of the story, Beowulf, is himself described as “the prince of rings” …show more content…
Regardless, throughout the epic, the recorder uses the recognition of God’s role in life (divine intervention) to imply a need for generous behavior. After introducing Hrothgar as a noble and generous leader, Heorot Hall is described as the place from which “he would dispense his God-given goods to young and old” (7). Not only is a well-respected man providing for all of his people with his own goods, but those goods are the result of God’s generosity to Hrothgar. By invoking God, who, according to religious doctrine is the ultimate perfect being, the recorder of Beowulf draws upon the biblical teachings and myths that were common knowledge during the late Anglo-Saxon period. Well-known Christian stories such as Jesus Christ that it is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven lend another level of moral compulsion for the converted Christians to live generously. Otherwise, the recorder reminds, the Anglo-Saxon audience might end up not only miserable in life like King Heremod but in a similarly unpleasant …show more content…
Following Hurricane Harvey, a variety of buildings, including mosques, churches, and furniture stores opened their doors to take in those affected by the flooding. Yet for one of Houston’s largest megachurches, such action did not occur until social media users questioned and pressured the pastor into being more generous with his space than with his prayers. While it’s comforting to know that charitable actions continue to be strongly valued by many, the unfortunate truth is that without modern versions of people like the recorder of Beowulf, who urge action and threaten (mostly economic) consequences, not everyone would act for the good of others. Even after a millennia, someone, a Christian monk or not, is still needed to serve as society’s moral compass and protect the common folk from uncaring or truly evil kings, pastors, and
As one version of an oral tale-which vary greatly depending on the tale teller-, the Beowulf readers are familiar with reflects the morals and values of its circa tenth century recorder as well as those of the sixth century setting. The recorder of Beowulf uses several of the characteristics of epic poems in an attempt to instigate the generous and charitable behavior that (presumably) he views as morally correct. Throughout the poem, the recorder wields a variety of epithets to characterize the heroic figures, whom the Anglo-Saxon audience admires and strives to emulate, as lavish givers. The main hero of the story, Beowulf, is himself described as “the prince of rings” …show more content…
Regardless, throughout the epic, the recorder uses the recognition of God’s role in life (divine intervention) to imply a need for generous behavior. After introducing Hrothgar as a noble and generous leader, Heorot Hall is described as the place from which “he would dispense his God-given goods to young and old” (7). Not only is a well-respected man providing for all of his people with his own goods, but those goods are the result of God’s generosity to Hrothgar. By invoking God, who, according to religious doctrine is the ultimate perfect being, the recorder of Beowulf draws upon the biblical teachings and myths that were common knowledge during the late Anglo-Saxon period. Well-known Christian stories such as Jesus Christ that it is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven lend another level of moral compulsion for the converted Christians to live generously. Otherwise, the recorder reminds, the Anglo-Saxon audience might end up not only miserable in life like King Heremod but in a similarly unpleasant …show more content…
Following Hurricane Harvey, a variety of buildings, including mosques, churches, and furniture stores opened their doors to take in those affected by the flooding. Yet for one of Houston’s largest megachurches, such action did not occur until social media users questioned and pressured the pastor into being more generous with his space than with his prayers. While it’s comforting to know that charitable actions continue to be strongly valued by many, the unfortunate truth is that without modern versions of people like the recorder of Beowulf, who urge action and threaten (mostly economic) consequences, not everyone would act for the good of others. Even after a millennia, someone, a Christian monk or not, is still needed to serve as society’s moral compass and protect the common folk from uncaring or truly evil kings, pastors, and