The World of BeowulfThe poem Beowulf describes a world inhabited by semi-civilized societies who are very loyal to the members of their group, who are transitory, who have little security, to which they are prey, even from individual monsters of enormous strength (Thompson 16). In the poem the families or tribes that joined together formed their own little societies. Ralph Arnold in his essay “Royal Halls – The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial,” states: “The lust for gold as a symbol of royal wealth and gold as a gift probably accounted for much of the warfare that early English kings indulged in” ( 91 ). These small societies are motivated by their selfishness, as they repeatedly attack the weaker societies in the area so as to increase their supplies of treasure and weapons, or to avenge a misdeed committed somewhere in the past: this is blood feud, hatred of the tribes. , men's thirst for war, (2999-3000) Consider Beowulf's revenge for the murder of Heardred, son of Hygelac, by the sons of Othere. And the expected revenge on the Geats by the Swedes in retaliation for the killing of Ongentheow by Wulf and Eofor. Hygelac, going “to the land of the Frisians, attacked the Hetware,” provoking a feud between the Geats on the one hand and the Franks, Frisians and Mereovingians on the other. Beowulf's father had killed the Wylfling Heatholaf, thus starting a feud; consequently the Geats "for fear of war, would not have wanted it". But Hrothgar, young king of the Danes, "paid money to settle your father's feud, sent treasure... to the Wylfings." favor while he has only God'...... middle of paper ...... so as to create a feeling of insecurity and transience: The monstrous woman avenged her son, kidnapped and killed a man bravely. There Aeschere, an old and wise councillor, died in her ferocious attack (2120-23). ​​The poem Beowulf describes a world of loyalty, of great uncertainty and insecurity, and of transitory life. BIBLIOGRAPHY Arnold, Ralph. “Royal Halls – The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial.” In Donaldson's translation, edited by Joseph F. Tuso. New York, WWNorton and Co.: 1975Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A bilingual edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977.Thompson, Stephen P. “The Beowulf Poet and His World.” In Readings on Beowulf, edited by Stephen P. Thompson. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,1998.