Here's why:
* Oral Tradition: These cultures relied heavily on oral tradition for transmitting knowledge and stories. Poetry served as a mnemonic device, helping to remember important events, genealogies, and cultural values.
* Historical Narratives: Epic poems like Beowulf, the Eddas, and sagas often recount historical events, wars, and legendary figures, shaping the understanding of the past for future generations.
* Cultural Identity: By reciting poems about ancestors, heroes, and gods, these cultures reinforced a sense of shared identity and belonging. Poetry served as a tool for transmitting cultural values, beliefs, and customs.
Therefore, public recital poetry was more than just entertainment; it was a vital tool for preserving history, cultural memory, and identity in Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian societies.