The Anglo-Saxon literature

A detailed Summary of The Anglo-Saxon literature

In the Anglo-Saxon literature, the scop has a privilege of retaining history, culture and social values of that society. In many cases the scop exercises the power to create stories which reflect the values of that society. The Rood in the °The Dream of the Rood± also tells a story of which affects its society and people. The existence of this witness that reports the suffering and the glorification of Christ proves necessary for the people to believe. The Rood becomes a hero that preserves an event that proves crucial to the society. As the Rood observes the suffering of Christ, it also shares with him the pains of crucifixion. In other words, the Rood takes part in Christ¯s crucifixion which pertains to the salvation of the souls. Although the Rood declares its god-like qualities along with Christ, there¯s a distinction between Christ and the Rood. Therefore, the Rood appears as a metonymic figure which represents the Christ¯s suffering but it does not represent Christ. In fact, the Rood assumes the role of Christ as it demands people to worship it.

In this poem, the Rood appears as an Anglo-Saxon hero. However, the Rood fails to share the Christian beliefs when it declares the entity of God along with Christ. Altho

The Anglo-Saxon heroes actively choose to suffer and face their wierd. However, their keeping of the allegiance enables them to hope for the reward that is eternal. These heroes believe that their reputation lives on in their society after they die. Their example preserves their community in that it promotes some of the moral values they cherish. Thus, their desire to preserve these moral values gain precedence over their desire to live.

The Rood also desires to benefit its community. The °Lord¯s rood... shall fetch [the persons of the society] forth from this fleeting life and then shall bring [these persons] where there is great rejoicing±(The Rood, 140-141). The scop refers the heaven as an eternal place of °great rejoicing.± The Rood desires to direct the people of its society to reach that eternal place and its short-lived suffering becomes a significant accomplishment that provides the only salvation. Similarly, the heroes of the Maldon through their sacrifice desire to protect their community. Bryhtnoth states in the °Maldon±, °my prayer is this, that the hates of hell may not harm her±(180). The heroes of the Maldon intend to protect their community through their sacrifice. As a consequence, their fearless dedication to serve their community reflects their active acceptance of their death. Although the Anglo-Saxon heroes sacrifice themselves in order to benefit the their community, they do not forsake their personal gains. In other words their actions reflect what is considered important to themselves than an act of self denial. Unlike those who decide to abandon the allegiance and save their lives, the heroes realize that neglecting the pact made with their community brings guilt and shame. In the Anglo-Saxon society, °a man cannot linger when his lord lies unaligned among Vikings, cannot value breath±(The Maldon, 260). In this society, one¯s honor depends on whether or not one dedicates one¯s life to serve the lord. This honor pertains to not only retaining a favorable reputation in one¯s community, the heroes believe that their loyalty saves their soul. A hero in the °Maldon± indicates that his °soul may unscathed cross in [God¯s] keeping± when it benefits its society(177). The outcome of their sacrifice outweighs the preservation of their lives. Therefore, they are able to overcome the fear of death. Also, the compensation for their suffering is acquiring fame among the people in their society. As the heroes are reminded as the fearless upholders of their allegiance protecting the values of their community, Beowulf states, °In my youth I engaged in many wars. Old guardian of the people, I shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame±(Beowulf, 59). In Anglo-Saxon literature, the heroes that seek to benefit their com

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Approximate Word count = 1873
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English