davem,
A very fine post about the value of one's word and the comitatus and a point well worth making here.
Quote:
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What kind of culture is it that would rank oath breaking with pillaging & murder?' Answer, the Anglo-saxon (& by extension, the culture of Middle earth).
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Obviously, a culture which predates lawyers and perhaps even literacy itself....
However, the value of one's oath is a pervasive value in early literatures and cultures. It was one reason why divorce was unthinkable--how could one withdraw one's oath. Poor Henry.
The theme of the rash oath in many early stories owes its force to the very serious regard in which a person's word was held. This I think can be related to a high degree of respect for language. Those who respect language do not use it lightly or thoughtlessly. (This does not preclude comedy of course.)
Consider, for example, the story of Jephthah in Judges (from the Bible). Jephthah vows to the Lord that he willl offer as a burnt offering to the Lord what or whoever comes through his door if the Lord will grant him victory in battle. Jephthah wins the battle, he returns home, and who walks through his door first but his only child, a daughter. Abraham was not forced to keep his word, but Jephthah was.
We might consider also, when we discuss the chapters which deal with Rohan, Eowyn's promise to act as protector of her people.