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Gold In Beowulf By Seamus Heaney

1070 Words5 Pages

In Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, treasure and weaponry were of great importance to the people of that time. During the Anglo-Saxon period (410 to 1066 A.D.), gold treasures and swords were distributed to show loyalty and trust among a kingdom’s great warriors. For biblical figures, such as Jesus and his disciples, treasure represented wealth and weaponry showed the ability to fight against Satan. In today’s society, treasure represents the success and riches one possesses while weaponry can be seen as strength or even arrogance. No matter what period in history, treasure and weaponry plays a role and its importance is ever changing. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, treasure and weaponry were highly valued among the kingdom and its people. Only those worthy enough to the King or Queen would receive treasure. Treasure was typically given to high-ranking warriors and loyal civilians that had accomplished some great deed. Beowulf shows that these men were so attached to those treasures and weapons that they buried them along with their dead to show their eternal loyalty. The Anglo-Saxons believed that redistributing a powerful leader’s gold after his death would be an imbalance of power. The Geats’ reburial of the gold in Beowulf’s mound indicated the despair they felt for the gold would do them no good without a king to distribute it. Before Beowulf’s final duel, he had received and abundance of treasure and weaponry from those whom he aided. In Heaney’s

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