Question

“I will take this message, in accordance with your wish, to our noble king, our dear lord, friend of the Danes, the giver of rings.” –Beowulf: A New Verse Translation, Seamus Heaney Which feature of Anglo-Saxon culture is reflected in the passage? the expectation that a king gives gifts to his thanes the constant threat of war the mixture of pagan and Christian traditions the importance of formal feasts

Answer 1

In this passage, is reflected the expectation that a king gives gifts to his thanes as a feature of the Anglo-Saxon culture. In this poem, Beowulf, we can see the main characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon culture like friendship, loyalty, bravery and generosity. This passage makes emphasis on gift-giving, like generosity. When someone in this culture goes for a visit to another one’s place they considered important to bring them gifts as a gratitude for their hospitality.

Answer 2

the expectation that a king gives gifts to his thanes