Honour, exchange and violence in Beowulf /
"This book examines violence in its social setting, and especially as an essential element in the heroic system of exchange (sometimes called the Economy of Honour). It situates Beowulf in a northern European culture where violence was not stigmatized as evidence of a breakdown in social order...
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge, UK ; Rochester, NY :
D.S. Brewer,
2013.
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| Series: | Anglo-Saxon studies ;
20. |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | "This book examines violence in its social setting, and especially as an essential element in the heroic system of exchange (sometimes called the Economy of Honour). It situates Beowulf in a northern European culture where violence was not stigmatized as evidence of a breakdown in social order but rather was seen as a reasonable way to get things done; where kings and their retainers saw themselves above all as warriors whose chief occupation was the pursuit of honour; and where most successful kings were those perceived as most predatory"--P. [4] of cover. |
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| Physical Description: | x, 279 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 243-266) and indexes. |
| ISBN: | 9781843843467 1843843463 |
| ISSN: | 1475-2468 ; |