Society of a Different TimeMany works of Literature represent people and their society of that era. Beowulf, A History of the English Church and People and Seafarer does this by representing Anglo-Saxon people and their society.One quality in this era that seems to be respected by society is fearing God and showing respect for him. In Beowulf, Grendel shows respect to God. "Though he lived In Herot, when the night hid him, He never Dared to touch King Hrothgar's glorious Throne, protected by God -God.."(15) This shows his respect for God.In Beowulf they mentio ...view middle of the document...
In Beowulf, Beowulf kills the troublesome Grendel. In one line the author says "And sometimes a proud old soldier Who had heard songs of the ancient heroes and could sing them all through, story after story, Would weave a net of words for Beowulf's victory..."(26) This shows how poets respected Beowulf for his victory against Grendel. In A History of the English Church and People, Caedmon is respected for composing religious and devotional songs. In one line the author talks about how people loved his singing by saying "These verses of his have stirred the heart of many folks to despise the world and aspire to heavenly things."(33) In the Seafarer the Seafarer is respected by an islander and he wishes he could be like him.The last quality of this era that is respected is glory and happiness. In Beowulf, everything is great for a while when Grendel is dead. An example of this is "Then old and young rejoiced."(26) In the Seafarer they mention the glorious and happy days. An example of this is " The days are gone When the kingdoms of earth flourished in glory."(37)In conclusion, the three things that are respected by society in the Anglo-Saxon era are fearing God and showing respect to him, people who do great things and have great skills and times of glory and happiness.
