Before written language, oral representation of events and traditions was the only way for the people to learn about their past, major heroic deeds, and great warriors. Of course, the stories inevitably changed as different scops sang them; some details were added, some omitted, but the essence of the stories was preserved. Through their chanting, scops also "preserved the tradition of poetic eulogy"(Britannica, online), and the overall history of the medieval period, and later on, songs were put down on paper in monasteries by educated monks. For example the story of Beowulf is a long epic composed by a scop, telling about a hero and his heroic conduct. "The Wanderer" is another poem, much shorter, about an "earth-walker," the last or sole survivor of his tribe. Thus, scops not only provided entertainment for the people, but also helped to preserve much of the ancient history through their "very structured and alliterate" (Britannica, on-line) poems and songs. They immortalized great warriors, kings and their victories and their significance in the ancient days. And they also gave us a lot of facts though their lyrics about old times. |