Anglo-saxon Notes PDF

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Professor Sundaram - The notes follow the Norton Anthology reading assigned for the lectured. My note taking follows the professor's key takeaways from each text....

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September 11th, 2014. Comitatus – Latin work for band of warriors – relationship between the lord and his fighters. -Comitatus is a system of loyalty -King would be generous to his band of men as he would give food, weapons and treasure -Treasure is the bond between the king and the Comitatus (bond of loyalty) -Wergeld – price of compensation for the death or injury of a human being Ex. Hrothgar tries to marry his daughter to stop conflict (An offering of treasure to stop conflict) -To be a king is to be the best fighter

What drives Beowulf’s actions? -Importance of glory and lasting fame – the path to immortality is being remembered after you die Oral tradition – Poets retelling story Heroism of fighting a losing battle = Glory Oral Poetry: Paratactic Style: September 25th, 2014 Medieval Society Three estates -Knights, military -Peasants, those who work...