history of beowulf
A Historical View of Beowulf and Sir GawainWhen reading English literature, it is important to have some knowledge of the history of the text and to become familiar with some of the historical aspects alluding to its content. In order to exemplify my point, I have researched two significant poems of English Literature, “Beowulf” and “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. By exploring the backgrounds of both poems, it helped me to better understand many themes in the poems and various details, which would have been insignificant without knowing some historical or cultural information. Beowulf is the longest surviving Old English poem. Its completion date ranges from 450-700 AD and the Beowulf manuscript was written circa 1000 AD. Understanding the culture that produced the oral completion is important when reading and analyzing this epic. The historical and social constructs of this time clarify Beowulf as an epic involving its subject matter and thematic concerns. Beowulf allows its readers to understand the means by which these societies existed. Beowulf embodies the characteristics and behaviors that were common to the Germanic peoples that invaded England in the ear . . .
Historically, the Germanic societies performed physical battles for the survival of their tribes as seen in Beowulf. Also, it is important to note that cowardice among these Germanic tribes was an attribute regarded as being deeply shameful. Sir Gawain succeeds, but not for the physical survival of Camelot but to maintain his reputation and that of King Arthur’s court. Historically, most feuds have been brought to a close by the payment of money or goods. The code of chivalry was a refinement of the pagan virtue of courage and its heroic ideals. The romance genre greatly reflected the social atmosphere during this historical period. The significance of loyalty is witnessed when the warriors bond themselves around their leader, which presents the value of comitatus. A Germanic hero’s accomplishments are not achieved in victory alone, but in unwavering courage in all circumstances. The importance of religion in society was extremely essential in all facets of life. As seen in Sir Gawain, the Age of Chivalry contained a new awareness of social activity that went beyond the principles of vengeance, fame and barbarous courage seen in Beowulf. Wergild is associated with feuds between families, and these feuds must be continued by each generation until its end. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight exhibit these Christian beliefs. Sir Gawain displays civility, nobility, bravery and loyalty, all of which are characteristics of knights throughout the Middle English period. Because of this lack of loyalty and the death of Beowulf, it is predicted that war will befall on the Geats, which connects the idea of fate. It is clear that vengeance precedes Christianity, yet Beowulf does incorporate some Christian ideas.
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