Textuality » 3A Interacting

GCorso Society in Beowulf
by GCorso - (2009-03-03)
Up to  Beowulf . Epic PoetryUp to task document list
 

Reading the poem Beowulf you can understand  the code of values of the society  was based on courage,loyalty of the followers to their king and generosity of the king towards them. In fact the protagonist  - Beowulf - is a courageous adventurous " thane", a royal vassal, tied to his king by loyalty and kinship. 

The society is organized according to a hierarchic structure. At the top  of the hierarchy is the King followed by the warriors . At the bottom are the villains, sailors and seamen.

In this poem King Hrothgar builds a banqueting hall which symbolises the prosperity and fame of his reign. For the Anglo-Saxon society   the banquet is an instrument to socialize and to make rituals.

In this society  the battle is a neccessity and a man capable to fight is rispected.