What is the coast-guard’s initial opinion of the Geatland sailors? How does he react to their sudden arrival? Use evidence from the text to justify your answer.

The coast guard's initial opinion when he sighted the Geatland sailors was suspicion of the new arrivals. He concluded that they could be enemy spies who had arrived to reconnoiter the kingdom of the Danes.

We should not forget the historical context of this epic poem. In those days, Kings and Queens expanded their kingdoms by making wars against others whenever they felt they could conquer and possess their lands. At that time, there were no binding international treaties, and Might was exalted to the highest.

Therefore, when the coast guard saw the Warrior Beowulf, he was alarmed and battle-ready. He questioned the sailors, holding his lance in his hand. But Beowulf had not come to the Danes to make war.

Beowulf had come to relieve them of Grendel. Beowulf had heard about their sufferings and humiliation. He had come to sympathize with them the best way a hero could.

Beowulf came to the Danes to annihilate Grendel and enable the Danes to live in peace. He was a loyal, valorous, and brave Superhuman.

Thus, the coast guard reacted appropriately. Who could have seen Beowulf with his company and not responded in the same manner?

Read more about Homer's epic poem Beowulf at link

1. The coast-guard thought of them as enemies or intruders. Evidence from the text to this was when he asked:

'Who are ye men here, mail-covered warriors,

Clad in your corslets, come thus a-driving

A high riding ship o'er the shoals of the waters,

And hither 'neath helmets have hied o'er the ocean?

I have been strand-guard, standing as warden,

Lest enemies ever anywise ravage

2. On seeing the Geatland warriors arrive the coastland, the coast-guard rose in suspense and boldness and moved quickly to question the sailors on what their mission to the Dane was. Evidence from the text to this is in the statement:

"High on his horse then, Hrothgar's retainer

Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished

His lance in his hands questioned with boldness"

Explanation:

1. From the poem, Beowulf, we learn of the moment when Beowulf arrived at the coastland. The initial opinion of the guard about the unexpected warriors was that they were enemies or intruders who have probably come to spy on the Dane Kingdom. That was why he first asked them:

'Who are ye men here, mail-covered warriors,

Clad in your corslets, come thus a-driving

A high riding ship o'er the shoals of the waters,

And hither 'neath helmets have hied o'er the ocean?

I have been strand-guard, standing as warden,

Lest enemies ever anywise ravage

2. On sighting them, the guard rose in suspense arming himself with some armaments and went on to question them on who they were and what they had come to do in the Kingdom. The pieces of evidence are in these lines:

"High on his horse then, Hrothgar's retainer

Turned him to coastward, mightily brandished

His lance in his hands questioned with boldness"

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