This section contains 285 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) |
Beowulf and Mead Hall
The mead halls function as a place of government and commerce. The mead hall has significant importance because of the activities that take place at the mead hall - one of them being the handling of military orders - a place where armies gather (12.2868). In addition to military order, it is a place of commerce, where wealth and gifts are distributed (11.2634). The mead halls because of their government and commerce functions could have been the first building to act like "city halls" in our modern age.
Finally the mead hall is significant to the tribe because serves as the central communication and cultural center. It is where stories are read and it is a central gathering place for the tribe (9.2186). Looking at the big picture, the monster was creating fear at the mead hall - so great it was wrecking the symbolic powerfulness, functions and culture of the tribe. Enough so that the entire first half of Beowulf is devoted to this supernatural hero saving the mead hall - the most dramatic way the poet can describe the importance of the mead halls.
This section contains 285 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) |