The Anglo-Saxons and the Greeks both shared similar religious beliefs. Both cultures based their religions on paganism. One difference between the two cultures is shown in the burial or funeral service. Anglo-Saxons burials required a lot of time and effort to be put into the building of the tomb, the funeral pyre, and the collection of material possessions of the deceased to be buried. This showed the respect for those with high social status. Although the Greeks did bury their dead, their funeral service didn’t have the same elaborateness as the Anglo-Saxons.
Both the Greeks and Anglo-Saxons were polytheistic, although the names of their gods did differ. Another similarity between the two cultures was the idea of fate. The Greeks believed in the idea of moira while the Anglo-Saxons believed in the idea of wyrd. Both believed that their future was predetermined. Although the Greeks believed that one’s fate was immutable and that the gods were not to be disobeyed, the Anglo-Saxons believed that one’s fate could be changed using physical strength.
You give a lot of great information, but it sounds like a list when reading it. The parallels between the two cultures are clear. Work on developing a voice and transitions. You say that their practices are different, but why are they different? Are the two cultures based on different ideals? One way you could add to the flow of the synthesis is to add transitions. Try defining each paragraph based on different ideas. Your ideas on the Greek’s three fates are important to the point at which individuals efforts do not determine their life. Elaborate on the differences in fate of the cultures. Since the idea of fate is radically different between the two how do the funeral practices of each culture reflect this? You say that both are polytheistic but Christianity influenced Anglo-Saxon culture and this would reasonably have an effect on funeral practices. The view of the dead is different, think about how you could express these differences and even similarities. The view of the dead must have influenced life and religion in both cultures. After each aspect is written, write the philosophical or the idea behind the practice comparing the mindset between the two cultures. Your ideas are correct but need elaboration.
ReplyDeleteWork a bit on your synthesis skills. Your paragraphs are a summary of similar events and activities, instead take a deeper look at consistencies in philosophies, women's roles in the culture. You might find something worthwhile. Ms Shires