Question

Explain how keeping Beowulf's story alive also keeps a culture's values alive. What does this story tell us about the people who lived during this time period?

Option 1: By passing down Beowulf's story through generations, a culture preserves its heroic ideals and societal values.
Option 2: Beowulf's tale, with its focus on valor and kinship, reflects the moral and ethical code of the people of its era.
Option 3: Beowulf's story, through its characters and challenges, provides insights into the moral fiber of the historical society.
Option 4: The longevity of Beowulf's narrative signifies the enduring importance of honor and courage to the people of its time.

Answer 1

The story of Beowulf carries forward the values of valor, kinship, honor, and courage, integral to Germanic societies. Option 2 is the best choice as it reflects the broad moral and ethical codes of the people during Beowulf's era and highlights the role of cultural preservation through storytelling.

Step-by-step explanation:

Keeping the story of Beowulf alive serves to preserve a culture's heroic ideals, societal values, and understanding of the past. The tale of Beowulf, deeply rooted in Germanic oral tradition, emphasizes themes such as valor, kinship, honor, and courage. These central values reflect the moral and ethical codes of the people during the time period when Germanic societies did not have formal hierarchies and advancement was tied to one's service in warfare. By honoring heroes and recounting their deeds, cultures reinforce a sense of identity, solidarity, and connection to their heritage.

Among the options provided, the second option encapsulates the essence of why the story of Beowulf is integral to understanding historical values: Option 2: Beowulf's tale, with its focus on valor and kinship, reflects the moral and ethical code of the people of its era. This story does not just reflect the historical society's moral fiber as stated in Option 3, or solely signify the enduring importance of honor and courage as per Option 4, but provides a broader perspective on the values that were celebrated and transmitted through storytelling, thereby fulfilling the role of cultural preservation as well as guiding the behaviours for generations to come.