Asher.p2.t5 Anglo-Saxon Synthesis Question - Ben Hillman, Kimi Low, Kaylee Anderson, and Ben Lee

It has been known that the Greeks and Romans have differed in the treatment of their dead. What is shocking about this is the way that Anglo-Saxon culture reflects Greek culture. As evidenced in “Beowulf”, the Anglo-Saxon’s dispose of their dead in a more formal but heathen manner. What is odd about this is the way that their society works. Especially in their literature, Anglo-Saxons describe avoiding one’s fate as killing to do so, which contradicts the repent that they feel for their own dead. For example, in “The Battle of Brunanburh” the King, Prince, and brother all go to war against an opposing nation. The fighting is glorified and encompasses most of the story’s content. What is so shocking about this is the way it contrasts with the deep respect that Anglo-Saxon nations had for their own dead. It may have only been prevalent in the writing of the time but it certainly seems that the Anglo-Saxon structure of life was in fact a vicious circle of death. The Greek disposal of the dead is very different from the Anglo-Saxons due to their seemingly less thoughtful approach. What still remains a question is: where do the differences come from when comparing and contrasting the Anglo-Saxons and the Greeks in their cultures? Why did they differ in something like death but remain similar in many other ways? It could have been the introduction of Christianity or it could have been a coincidence, but it remains clear that the Anglo-Saxon treatment of death is a circle that they never seemed to fully grasp.