The Oxford Book of Death
By D.J. Enright
“At the hour shaped for him Scyld departed,
The many-strengthed moved into his Master’s keeping.
They carried him out to the current sea,
His sworn arms-fellows, as he himself had asked
while he wielded by his words, Ward of the Scyldings,
while he wielded by his words, Ward of the Scyldings,
Beloved folk-founder; long had he ruled.
A boat with a ringed neck in the haven,
Icy,out-eager, the aetheling’s vessel,
And there they laid out their lord and master,
Dealer of wound gold, in the waist of the ship,
In majesty by the mast.
A mound of treasures
From far countries was fetched aboard her,
With the weapons of a warrior, war accoutrement,
Bills and byrnies; on his breast were set
Treasures and trappings to travel with him
On his far faring into the flood’s sway.
This hoard was not less great than the gifts he had
From those who sent him, on the sill of life,
Over seas, alone, a small child.
High over head they hoisted and fixed
A gold signum; gave him to the flood,
Let the seas take him, with sour hearts
And mourning moods. Men have not the knowledge
To say with any truth--- however tall beneath the heavens,
However much listen to--- who unloaded that boat (131-132)
~Beowulf (c.720) (as cited in Enright)
Examining this text truly drags into view how changed our death rituals have changed; and unfortunately, it does not appear to have changed for the better. In the time of Beowulf, the entire village would hike to the water’s edge to say goodbye to someone they knew and loved. Everyone was able to say their goodbyes to the one who left them behind and the grieving process was allowed to proceed with its natural course, for the most part. When we flip forward to our own time, when soul departs, a minimal tribute as possible is paid to the departed. The grieving process it nearly elimimated and mourners have little or no opportunity to reach closure, to say goodbye. We do our best to terminate all aspects of death from our lives--- with very negative results. What changed? Why did death become a shame?
I honor of this week’s chapter “Graveyards and Funerals” in the Oxford Book of Death, and the fact that All Hallows Eve is in a matter of days, I have a cool link that I found containing some curious articles of famous grave sites in New England.
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