Beowulf Group

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cyoung010
cyoung010
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Why is Hrothgar’s lineage given?

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Posted by cyoung010 on Wednesday October 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM and tagged with beowulf, literature.

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  1. melas04
    melas04 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The Norse culture is very focused on honor and respect. Usually those things take years, and many brave adventures, in order to obtain. So a way of honoring a person is by acknowledging them through their lineage.

    Most men aren't considered to be important enough to be recognized by their own name. Their fathers are more likely to, and their fathers at least accomplished a contribution to the civilization with a child. So until that person has done something astonishingly amazing, they will be acknowledged based on their lineage.

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    Posted by melas04 on Wednesday October 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM