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Beowulf continued

Beowulf continued. Comitatus. The bond between a Germanic warrior and his lord. One of its features is that neither leaves the field of battle before the other. “To survive the leader and retreat from the battlefield is a lifelong disgrace and infamy.”. Wyrd.

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Beowulf continued

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  1. Beowulf continued

  2. Comitatus • The bond between a Germanic warrior and his lord. • One of its features is that neither leaves the field of battle before the other. • “To survive the leader and retreat from the battlefield is a lifelong disgrace and infamy.”

  3. Wyrd • Anglo-Saxon word corresponding to fate and personal destiny • Beowulf invokes fate as a determining factor in his actions (see the end of his first speech to Hrothgar • But the poet frequently assures us that the Almighty has a hand in the outcomes of the battles and the action of the poem.

  4. Pagan and/or Christian? • Pagan: invocations to fate, funerary rites that are not Christian, warrior code • Christian: monsters are demonic, Almighty God is thanked, Hrothgarthanks God but the poet points out that he and his men are unfortunately NOT exposed to Christianity? • What is the effect of these inconsistencies?

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