Theme Of Loyalty In Anglo Saxon Poetry

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Not only does Anglo Saxon poetry establish their strong cultural desire for fame, it also illustrates the social significance of having loyalty. This can be seen while the wanderer travels around the sea and dreams of his now deceased lord, “it seems in his mind that he clasps and kisses/ his lord of men, and on his knee lays, hands and head, as he sometimes long ago/in earlier days enjoyed the gift-throne” (“The Wanderer” ll. 42-25) Here it shows the heart of his relationship to his lord. Similarly loyal relationships are a keypoint in Beowulf, when Hrothgar's army grows strong, “Friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks,” (Beowulf ll. 65) illustrating that with a strong sense of security comes a strong bond and responsibility towards the

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