Introduction
Literary sources are often important materials reflecting the characteristics of the cultural and social development of society. The poem Beowulf is a masterpiece of Old English literature and one of the most famous long epics. It was created in the first half of the ninth century, over 1200 years ago (Greenblatt 29). Beowulf is an example of a heroic poem but also reflects important aspects of the cultural development of the Germanic people. In particular, the poem describes the relationship between tribes and the role of ethnos in the development of early kingdoms. Additionally, the poem illustrates the social values on which the society of that period was built. Finally, it describes the interplay of pagan and monotheistic beliefs, as well as the relationship between lord and followers.
Ethnicity and Intertribal Relations
The poem, in particular, reflects the social structure of the early medieval kingdoms, as well as inter-and intro-tribal relations. Neidorf argues that “ethnic tensions in Beowulf do not involve animosity toward an entire group, but rather toward particular individuals” (857). The Finn episode, which refers to the conflicts between the Frisians and Danes, is extremely illustrative in this respect. In particular, after a stalemate in the first battle, the Danish survivors enter into the service of Finn and stay there for a long time. To ensure the peaceful existence of two ethnic groups, “Both sides then sealed their agreement” (Greenblatt 56).
It is further argued that any provocation of revenge for the murdered lord is a violation of the peace. However, if Danes “stirred up bad blood with insinuations or taunts about this, the blade of the sword would arbitrate it” (Greenblatt 57). Therefore, the episode illustrates that for the society of that period, intertribal relations were more important than blood feuds.
The open animosity between ethnic groups in the poem is rather expressed in hostility between families or individuals. In particular, the period of the early medieval kingdoms was marked by the definition of the principles of authority and government, political and social changes (Bonafede 20). Thus, for people of that period, political and social ties are more important than ethnicity. They form beneficial alliances through marriage or serve foreign lords, emphasizing their tolerant attitude towards foreign culture and ethnicity (Bonafede 12; Neidorf 858). Neidorf concludes that Beowulf elevates the pan-Germanic civilization above other tribes who lived in its periphery (860).
In particular, the Germanic people are contrasted with the monsters in Beowulf, which possess humanoid traits (Neidorf 861). This view in a social context emphasizes the unification of the Germanic tribes and their rise above other ethnic groups.
Family and Ancestry as Main Social Values
Heritage and family reputation were also important as they ensured prestige and domination. Bonafede notes that Beofulf’s impulsive actions, which often challenge the social structure, lead to beneficial intertribal outcomes (14-15). The decision to fight Grendel allowed Beowulf “to draw two peoples, the Geat nation and us neighboring Danes, into shared peace and a pact of friendship in spite of hatreds” (73). The emphasis on uniting disunited tribes and overcoming enmity is again identified. Vasiliu also notes that one of the primary tasks of men during this period was to preserve the honor of their family and maintain the heritage of their ancestors (8).
In this way, Beowulf’s decisions emphasize the values of society to uphold the prestige of the family and strengthen its position. It is also important that blood feuds were suppressed through marriages or compensation for the murder of a member of another tribe (Vasiliu 8; Greenblatt 31). This aspect emphasizes that the Germanic tribes sought beneficial relationships rather than mindless blood wars.
The rules that exist in society also reflect the structure and values that dominate it. In particular, for people of that period, winning honor through exploits was a priority. Beowulf says that “when a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark” (Greenblatt 84). Thus, the Germanic tribes held a reputation as well as lineage above all else, so maintaining reputation was a priority. The murder of Grendel, who was expelled from society for social disturbance and his family, is unknown. These factors make him a threat to the stability and hierarchy of society, as well as an outsider and a foreigner who does not deserve the honor (Vasiliu 9). The characters in the poem have a strong bond with their ancestors and families, which emphasizes the structure of their society based on family bonds.
Religion as a Reflection of Social Foundations
Beowulf also reveals interesting facts about the belief system of the Germanic people, which are not only religion but also views of fate and death. First of all, it is noteworthy that the attitude of the characters in the poem to these aspects reflects the presence of pagan elements in society, which is melted together with the Christian religion. In particular, Beowulf emphasizes that fate is predetermined for a warrior and the highest honor is only to follow it; he says, “Fate goes ever as fate must” (Greenblatt 43).
At the same time, he believes that death is “a just judgment by God” (Greenblatt 43). On the one hand, he shares pagan views of fate and death as the natural order of things. On the other hand, he also asserts his belief in a supreme being in the form of God, who predetermines the possible outcome. Thus, the Germanic tribes had mixed views of the fate and nature of the world order, rather reflecting the transition from pagan beliefs to monotheistic religion.
However, this aspect may also be another cultural feature characteristic of the society of that period. In particular, Vasiliu notes that in the understanding of the Germanic tribes, God can be a personification of a lord, to whom a warrior is faithful with his honor (11-12). In this case, God can refer to the bond between the lord and his servant, which was the basis of Germanic society. As in the case of a blood feud, where the death of a lord and revenge of his followers can cause intertribal conflict, this element emphasizes an important cultural aspect of society. Hrothgar notes that “Beowulf’s warriors worked to defend their lord’s life, laying about them as best they could, with their ancestral blades” (Greenblatt 50).
He emphasizes the two pillars of the Germanic peoples’ society: ancestry and loyalty to the lord. Relationships between individuals that transcend ethnic differences, as well as a strong connection with family heritage, shape the social structure of that period.
Conclusion
In this way, Beowulf provides important information on the social and cultural aspects of the society of the Germanic peoples. In particular, much can be learned about the process of tribal unification and their relationships. It is also important that the poem illustrates the values that dominated the society and were the basis for its development. In general, Beowulf presents a comprehensive view revealing the identity of the Germanic peoples in a cultural context.
Works Cited
Bonafede, Jessie. “The Good, the Bad, and the Violent: Analyzing Beowulf’s Heroic Displacement and Transgressive Violence during the Grendel Quest.” Quidditas, vol. 42, 2021, pp. 7-23.
Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, The Major Authors (Vol. 1). W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
Neidorf, Leonard. “Beowulf as Pre-National Epic: Ethnocentrism in the Poem and its Criticism.” ELH, vol. 85, no. 4, 2018, pp. 847-875.
Vasiliu, Dana. “Anglo-Saxon Values and Culture in Beowulf.” Medieval studies. 2019. Web.