Consider what is implied or said about courage,kinship, an revenge-how does the poet show the importance of all three?
The principal theme of this work is that of valor... or heroism. This is the quality that the key character, Byrhtnoth, displays and it is this which affects his soldiers the most. When he is seen to be fighting a seemingly unwinnable fight for King and country, they follow, despite the fact that the task seems doomed. However, when they see his horse riding away into the distance and wonder whether the man they considered to embody courage and valor is turning into a coward and deserter they are de-motivated and do not want to go into battle. Valor is shown to be important not just for the person who has this quality but also for those who admire them. This is also demonstrated when Godric plunges into the middle of a huge wall of Vikings determined to fight to the death. The writing's tone heralds those with valor and is scathing when it comes to those without it.
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