The cultural difference between the Greeks and the Anglo-Saxon is apparent in many different traditions between the two cultures. A very obvious Anglo-Saxon writing that portrays a cultural difference is Beowulf. The Anglo-Saxons have a highly recognized history of war and battle and this really influenced their culture. The Anglo-Saxons have a sensibility aimed towards glorifying battle and war. They don’t see it as a negative fixation, rather something that should be done and later celebrated. Beowulf absolutely fits this sensibility because of his approach to battle, which is no thinking or knowledge required, just fight purely based on strength attitude. However, the Greek culture on the other hand primarily focused on knowledge. Plato, Sophocles, and Aristotle were Greek philosophers who taught about politics, sciences, and mathematics. The Greek’s approach to battle required strategy and tactics, but the Anglo-Saxon’s were more on the subject of brute strength and power, which can clearly be seen in their conquests throughout Europe spreading they’re Pagan and Christian religions. The Anglo-Saxons didn’t seem to react to the Greek and Roman sensibilities. A quote from Beowulf portrays this attitude of solely brute strength and huger for battle that the Anglo-Saxon’s are well know for, "I promise you this: she will not be lost under cover, not in the earth's bosom nor in the mountain woods nor at the bottom of the sea, go where she will." Beowulf boasts and is surely confident that he will hunt down and kill Grendel’s mother, and that there is no place she can hide from him no matter where she goes. Beowulf is confident that no matter where she goes, he will find her and keeping in mind that if he doesn’t he will lose his honor.
Andy Kang, Freddy Tsao, Michael Amini, David Lee
Asher.p2.t1.anglo-saxon
ReplyDeleteby Calvin Chan, Christina Yang, Brianna Loo, Jane Lu (Asher, Period 2, Team 1)
We also decided to use the epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney to answer the synthesis question. However, we decided to show how the epic poem demonstrated the culture conflict between the two methods of burial; the Anglo-Saxons preferred cremating the dead, while the Greeks preferred burying, or inhumation. We discussed how, because the Anglo-Saxons believed in paganism (although they were later believed in Christianity, many still held onto their pagan beliefs), they preferred cremation (cremation is a pagan form of treating the deceased). Also, we compared and contrasted what was used to accompany the deceased to their next life.
True, the Greek culture did focus on knowledge and advancements; but, it is not true to completely say that the Greeks did not take pride, like the Anglo-Saxons did, in their war victories, or not glorify their battles at all. In Oedipus, the “battle” between Oedipus and the Sphinx is quite glorified as when the story about is reiterated, it is told with a glorified and dignified tone. That being said, the war-like state of the Anglo-Saxon era did indeed influence the Anglo-Saxon culture. However, the Anglo-Saxon also did have advancements in science and knowledge. For example, Venerable Bede, a monk that lived during the Anglo-Saxon era, used the science of astronomy and observations to help him write two treatises about astronomy and the calendar: De Temporibus (Concerning Time) and De Temporibus Ratione (The Reckoning of Time). These two treatises were then used to calculate the proper date for Easter (also known as the science of computus) and other important Church events.
Overall, great post! We enjoyed reading and reflecting on what you guys have written. :)