Textuality » 3A Interacting
CDean - Society in Beowulf
by - (2009-03-03)
Up to Beowulf . Epic Poetry
From the text we can understand something about Beowulf's society.
There was a king or a chief who ruled the population. Then there were the warriors and the seamen/sailors.
In the society there was a hierarchy: the king, the vassals and the other people. "Thane" was the term used to refer to a vassal. It is an Old English name.
Old people were considered important and respected because they were wise.
The population was pagan. We can understand this from the word "omens" which refers to the supernatural.
The society was based on important values: generosity, solidarity, respect and courage.