“Beowulf” by Seamus Heaney and the Anglo-Saxon poem “Dream of the Rood” Essay

Fealty is one of the greatly-recognized measures of the Anglo-Saxon world. a good deal defined as a type of committal or allegiance, faithfulness symbolises a more engaging and active role in Seamus Heaneys Beowulf than in the Anglo-Saxon poem The Dream of the Rood beca wont of the itinerary it causes action to be taken. Understanding the use of this Anglo-Saxon value can reveal its splendour in Anglo-Saxon life and literature.In Beowulf, the main character Beowulf uses subjection to empower him to perform princely deeds. This is shown through the actions that he makes upon hearing of the attacks by Grendel, Beowulf rushes to the aid of Hrothgar, a friend of his fathers. Beowulfs father, Ecgtheow, previously killed Heatholaf, a member of the Wulfing tribe. According to Anglo-Saxon terminology and law, a debt or wergild must be paid to the relatives of the victim. Unable to pay this manprice (StudyGuide.org), Ecgtheow fled to avoid war. Hrothgar healed the controversy by pa ying (Line 470) this debt which cause Beowulfs father to swear allegiance to Hrothgar.It is this obedience that his father made that encourages Beowulf to follow up on an old association (Line 376) and assist Hrothgar by beating Grendel. Another example where Beowulf uses fealty to act heroic is the decision to fight the dragon. Although this occurs in the older phase of Beowulfs life, his loyalty or fealty to the Geats as king of the people (Line 2513) obliges him to defend them, believe that its his duty. Conclusively, the utilization of fealty by Beowulf results in actions being carried out.The Anglo-Saxon value of fealty is also used by other characters in Beowulf to litigate intrepid actions. The greatest example of this is the aid shown to Beowulf by Wiglaf during the battle against the dragon. During this battle, Beowulfs stigma fails him and hes in need of assistance from the eleven comrades personally chosen for the encounter. However, excluding Wiglaf, that hand-pick ed flock broke ranks and ran for their lives (Lines 2597-2598). Wiglaf was the only warrior of the band who stood by his lord. In a family of respect toward the heroic ideal of the Anglo-Saxon world that states that he is stimulate to fight for their lord to the death (StudyGuide.org), Wiglaf interferes in the fight and they eventually defeat the dragon. This principle demonstrates how fealty is significant toAnglo-Saxon life in the way it inspired Wiglaf to aid Beowulf. All in all, fealty is acutely used in Beowulf as a basis to which one could complete actions.In Dream of the Rood, fealty is shown by the cross to savior but it doesnt play an actual role in the poem because the cross is an inanimate butt and cannot use his fealty to protect his lord. In a sense, the fealty in this poem is more idealistic than in Beowulf since the cross has the determination and the acuteness to aid Christ during the crucifixion but he cannot interfere. This willpower is illustrated when Chris t was placed on the Cross in preparation for the crucifixion. The cross states that although the scope shakes, it darednot against the Lords word/ bend or infract (Lines 35-36). That provides the notion that the cross has the intention to help Christ because it bending or breaking would hinder Christ the cross, by announcing that it wouldnt do such a thing verifies its fealty. Therefore, fealty is used in the poem as a concept, not as a reason for action.In conclusion, the application of fealty to the two Anglo-Saxon texts is evident but more significant in one then the other. Still, fealty contributes to both pieces of literature and its complex use exposes why it is so vital to Anglo-Saxon society.Works CitedGlenn, Jonathan A. The Dream of the Rood. University of substitution Arkansas. may 2009 .Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition). Boston W. W. Norton & Company, 2001.Beowulf StudyGuide.org. StudyGuide.org. May 2009 .Works ConsultedDictionary.co m. May 2009 .