The Role Of Kinship In Beowulf '

Sullivan Erger Section 20
Essay Question #4 Kieran Lyons

If you Google kinship in 2014 you get a basic definition of “blood relationship”. Hop in a time machine and jump back to around 500 A.D. and kinship isn’t just another noun in the English language. Respect and loyalty to your kinship is a way of life to the people of the Anglo-Saxon period, a custom perhaps many have lost today. Anglo-Saxons reigned in Great Britain around the 5th century and did a swell job of establishing themselves and their culture using writings and other literary works. Beowulf, an Old English poem that is often referred to as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, is set during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf undoubtedly
In lines 260-295 we read of Beowulf introducing himself, his men, and his reasoning for being here. Beowulf establishes his identity by introducing himself as the son of Ecgtheow. By doing this we can surely note that Beowulf introduces himself in this manner out of admiration and honor for his father and family line. This is a positive consequence for Beowulf in the sense that he has already established a reputation by inferring he is Ecgtheow’s son without having to prove himself. During this period introducing oneself as the son of someone who was highly valued by the people can lead to automatic respect, loyalty, and benefits. This can be very beneficial during your greeting cause it gives the outsider an idea of who you are and where you have come
False. Kinship has played a crucial role in the poem so far it can’t stop now. Perhaps it seems as if everyone is full of joy and it’s now safe for Beowulf to return home but there must be one offended spirit lurking around due to the death of Grendel. Right around lines 1279-1306 Grendel’s mother comes prowling for revenge. Just as loyalty to kin has played an important role to Hrothgar and Beowulf it so does too for Grendel and his mother. The first reading of a negative consequence has come about due to Beowulf’s actions that resulted from respect towards his father’s obligation to Hrothgar. Beowulf now has a large target on his back due to his overthrow of Grendel. During the Anglo-Saxon period death of a kin was only resolvable by avenging the death of the attacker or by paying a wergild, which often times wasn’t favorable. Grendel’s mother sought out to do the same in order to fulfill her reverence for her son. Lines 1501-1556 of Beowulf encapsulate his battle with Grendel’s mother proving to be a dangerous one. Beowulf has yet again proved himself as well as his valor and strength. His win over Grendel’s mother will most definitely lead to an assortment of gifts from Hrothgar and his