Importance Of Reputation In Beowulf
During the Anglo Saxon Period, establishing an identity seemed to be critical. Think about contemporary times and all the things that characterize us. Values, sexuality, and your passions make up a great part of who you are. Now, during the Pagan age, accomplishments, dignity, and their lord and empire, where the aspects they centralized on. Let’s dive into Beowulf, Old English poem composed of over 3,000 lines. Impression and reputation seem to be a priority .. In lines 194-195 “When he heard about Grendel, Hygelac's thane was on home ground, over in Geatland”, notice how the Geat warrior’s name is omitted. This is a fair illustration of the influence the kingdom had over the warriors because of the way he is made known as Hygelac’ son.
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Likewise, we also catch how trust was conceived during Pagan times, it revolved around where you came from or your performance.
Let’s red through lines 391-392 "My lord, the conquering king of the Danes, bids me announce that he knows your ancestry”, note the importance of your legacy, if you failed at leaving a mark your family’s reputation would be cursed forever. Hrothgar knew Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, personally after settling his feud by paying. This made it simple for him to trust Beowulf, knowing that his father was indeed a valuable man. Apart from your heritage, your triumph was equitably as important. For example, in lines 953-954, “But you have made yourself immortal by your glorious action,” Hrothgar characterizes Beowulf like a lionhearted man after he kills Grendel and saves the people from The Danes. Then as well, lines 2802-2807 “Order my troop to construct a barrow/ on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled. / It will loom on the horizon at Hronesness/ and be a reminder among my people—/so that in coming times crews under sail/ will call it Beowulf's Barrow” show Beowulf’s command on the development of his barrow in order for his memory to live
forever.
In the final analysis, we can clearly view the importance of preserving your status in order to earn trust and respect from the people. Which is expressed through lines 2890-2891 “A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame,”, they would rather die than lose pride or fame. Men did the impossible to leave an imprint, in lines 3180-3182 “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame”, wanting to be well-known was not seen as something bad in any way. And although for us this is considered to be cocky and selfish, during the Anglo-Saxon Period these where the traits that made your life worth living.
Likewise, we also catch how trust was conceived during Pagan times, it revolved around where you came from or your performance.
Let’s red through lines 391-392 "My lord, the conquering king of the Danes, bids me announce that he knows your ancestry”, note the importance of your legacy, if you failed at leaving a mark your family’s reputation would be cursed forever. Hrothgar knew Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, personally after settling his feud by paying. This made it simple for him to trust Beowulf, knowing that his father was indeed a valuable man. Apart from your heritage, your triumph was equitably as important. For example, in lines 953-954, “But you have made yourself immortal by your glorious action,” Hrothgar characterizes Beowulf like a lionhearted man after he kills Grendel and saves the people from The Danes. Then as well, lines 2802-2807 “Order my troop to construct a barrow/ on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled. / It will loom on the horizon at Hronesness/ and be a reminder among my people—/so that in coming times crews under sail/ will call it Beowulf's Barrow” show Beowulf’s command on the development of his barrow in order for his memory to live
forever.
In the final analysis, we can clearly view the importance of preserving your status in order to earn trust and respect from the people. Which is expressed through lines 2890-2891 “A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame,”, they would rather die than lose pride or fame. Men did the impossible to leave an imprint, in lines 3180-3182 “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame”, wanting to be well-known was not seen as something bad in any way. And although for us this is considered to be cocky and selfish, during the Anglo-Saxon Period these where the traits that made your life worth living.