Final answer:
Beowulf was composed during a time when England shifted from a tribal to a more structured and civilized feudal society, characterized by hierarchical relationships within a feudal system. Option c is the answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Beowulf was composed, England was changing from a tribal to a civilized culture. This transition reflects the shift from a society based on clan and kinship relations to one organized by a feudal system, where mutual obligations between lords and vassals defined social and political structures. The introduction of feudalism marked the beginning of a more structured and hierarchical society, contrasting with the earlier Germanic system of law that was based on clan loyalty and personal honor.