Question

The warriors' weapons are collected before they are granted an audience with Hrothgar. What does this action imply about the culture and the relationship between the Geats and the Scyldings?

a) It suggests a culture of distrust and suspicion
b) It indicates a culture of respect and hospitality
c) It reflects a culture of violence and aggression
d) It implies a culture of secrecy and intrigue

Answer 1

The collection of warriors' weapons before meeting Hrothgar suggests a respectful and hospitable warrior culture, emphasizing honor and reciprocation, while also using mechanisms like the blood price to curb violence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The warriors' weapons being collected before they are granted an audience with Hrothgar implies a culture of respect and hospitality. This action suggests that while there was an inherent potential for violence and aggression in the warrior culture, there was also an emphasis on honor, reciprocity, and the following of certain customs to maintain peaceful relations when possible. This is consistent with the Germanic legal tradition, which included the concept of a "blood price" to mitigate the cycle of violence, and with the ideas of honor and reciprocity found in the so-called "feudal" system of law. Furthermore, the fact that this practice occurs as warriors are being received by a king signifies the high regard for formal interaction protocols, especially within the context of a king's hall where martial prowess is celebrated but also regulated.

Within this culture, the blood price or wergild, was a key part of the legal system, which aimed to compensate for injuries and prevent unrestrained feuds. This shows a society that, while familiar with warfare, also valued social stability and had mechanisms to resolve conflicts. The social etiquette of weapon surrendering upon meeting a leader also shows the importance of demonstrating trust and reducing immediate threats to the host's safety, thus acknowledging the authority of the king.

Answer 2

The action of collecting the warriors' weapons before they are granted an audience with Hrothgar indicates a culture of respect and hospitality. Thus the correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The act of collecting the warriors' weapons before an audience with Hrothgar underscores a culture of respect and hospitality. In the context of the epic poem "Beowulf," the Geats, represented by Beowulf and his warriors, are entering the territory of the Scyldings as guests seeking aid and alliance. By relinquishing their weapons, the Geats demonstrate a willingness to trust their hosts, the Scyldings, and emphasize a commitment to peaceful interaction. This practice reflects a cultural norm where guests disarm themselves as a sign of respect, placing implicit trust in the hospitality of their hosts.

The choice of option (b), a culture of respect and hospitality, aligns with the cultural norms prevalent in many ancient societies, where the exchange of guests and hosts often involved symbolic acts to establish trust. The act of surrendering weapons before meeting a leader like Hrothgar implies a mutual understanding that the encounter will be one of peaceful dialogue rather than confrontation. It speaks to the diplomatic protocols and expectations of civility within the context of intercultural relationships in the epic.

In summary, the collection of weapons before meeting Hrothgar serves as a cultural marker, indicating a relationship built on trust and hospitality between the Geats and the Scyldings. This practice is rooted in the societal norms of the time, shedding light on the complex dynamics and expectations that governed interactions between different groups in the epic "Beowulf."