出典:Wiktionary
出典:『Wiktionary』 (2024/08/25 05:44 UTC 版)
beot (countable and uncountable, plural beots)
bēot n (nominative plural bēot)
出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/07/04 06:54 UTC 版)
A beot is Anglo-Saxon for a ritualized boast, vow, threat, or promise. Individuals, particularly Anglo-Saxon warriors, would publicly cast beots assertively in a manner that he or she would boastfully predict the results of such a challenging action. The principle of a beot is to proclaim one's acceptance of a seemingly impossible challenge in order to gain tremendous glory for actually accomplishing it. During war, Anglo-Saxon warriors would usually deliver beots in the mead hall the night before a military engagement or during the battle itself. For example, a typical warrior may boast that he will be the first to strike a blow in a battle, that he would claim a renowned sword from enemy warrior as spoils of battle, that he will slay a particular monster that has been wreaking havoc on a town or village, that and so on. Beots were usually accompanied by grand stories of one's past glorious deeds. Although later Christianized medieval culture (and modern American culture) might disdain boasting as a sign of arrogance or sinful pride, the pagan Anglo-Saxons highly regarded such behavior as glory and honor. The beot was not considered as a negative display of arrogance or insolence but as a positive sign of one's determination, bravery, and character. Examples of the beot can be seen throughout the epic poem entitled Beowulf such as when Beowulf vows to fight Grendel without using any weapons or armor.