“Although Anglo-Saxon ideals and literary style remained strong and intact to the end of the Old English period, that were rapidly supplanted by new attitudes and literary styles after the Norman invasion of England” (Tharaud 36). Both the Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman societies appear to be dramatically different from ours. Being a student of the literature of these societies, I am captivated by the changes from the one to the other. The author of Beowulf portrays the values of the Anglo-Saxon society while Geoffrey Chaucer represents the values of the Anglo-Norman society in The Canterbury Tales. ... Not only are changes seen through the obvious major characters, but each of the minor characters reveal the changes from Anglo-Saxon to Anglo-Norman.
The straightforwardness of the Anglo-Saxon society is represented by the morals of all the minor characters throughout the work of Beowulf. ... Religion in the Anglo-Saxon society is significantly symbolized in the scene where the Danes try to rid themselves of Grendel:
And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods,
Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s
Support, the Devil’s guidance in driving
Their affliction off. ... Their goodness is reflected in their demeanor with respect to the Anglo-Saxon values of hospitality, formal behavior, and comitatus spirit. Hospitality is of great importance to the Anglo-Saxon society. ...
Establishing the knowledge of Beowulf’s arrival and his welcoming were important in the Anglo-Saxon society because it made known the respect that was expected. Comitatus spirit, or loyalty to the king, was of significance to the Anglo-Saxon society and is shown by Wiglaf while the rest of Beowulf’s warriors flee in order to save their own lives. ...
While the author of Beowulf shows the simplicity of the Anglo-Saxon society, Geoffrey Chaucer shows the much more complex society that existed throughout the Anglo-Norman society. ... Although religion is an influential part of the Anglo-Norman society, many of the so called religious members of the Church do not follow what they preach.
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