Question

Why are there so many stories-within-the-story in the poem beowulf

Answer 1

More entertainment for the reader. It creates interest (for people who like longer stories.)

Answer 2

About history that wasn’t written down and pass it down through poem. They sing to the men and women in the mead halls, passing down valuable information, as well as legends and providing entertainment. This probably occurs during the night hours, and possibly during some of the day hours. The main purpose of the performances is to entertain the guests at the king’s mead hall, but also to inform the guests of interesting stories. Beowulf, being there, too, was incorporated into the stories and legends. This provided more entertainment for the guests because they could physically see the man about whom he was speaking.