Question

Which choice best describes what this sentiment seems to tell us about people 1,200 years ago, when Beowulf was written?

a) The people of that era viewed life as a gift from the gods.
b) The people of that era viewed life as a tragedy that would quickly end.
c) The people of that era viewed life more simply and with more gratitude.
d) The people of that era viewed life as fragile and were more fatalistic.

Answer 1

The sentiment from the era when Beowulf was written indicates that people viewed life as fragile and were fatalistic, reflecting the harsh realities of their time and their oral traditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The choice that best describes the sentiment about how people viewed life 1,200 years ago, when Beowulf was written, is (d) the people of that era viewed life as fragile and were more fatalistic. This perspective was shaped by the harsh realities of their lives, influenced by unpredictable natural disasters such as flooding, warfare, and the difficult environment they resided in. Their oral traditions, such as the Song of Hildebrand and the Song of the Nibelungs, celebrated warriors facing their fate, which also indicates a recognition of life's precariousness and the inevitability of death. The Mesopotamian literature further emphasizes this view, illustrating a world where the gods were perceived as capricious and could easily be angered, leading to destruction. Moreover, the Epic of Gilgamesh also addresses these themes, showing ancient people's awareness of mortality.