Honour, Exchange and Violence in Beowulf
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer, Limited
Published: 2013
Language: eng
Number of pages: 292
ISBN-13: 9781843843467
Subjects: Epic poetry, history and criticism
Description: "This book examines violence in its social setting, and especially as an essential element in the heroic system of exchange (sometimes called the Economy of Honour). It situates Beowulf in a northern European culture where violence was not stigmatized as evidence of a breakdown in social order but rather was seen as a reasonable way to get things done; where kings and their retainers saw themselves above all as warriors whose chief occupation was the pursuit of honour; and where most successful kings were those perceived as most predatory"--P. [4] of cover.