Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Anglo-Saxon Values in Beowulf

Good Essays
341 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Anglo-Saxon Values in Beowulf
The folk epic Beowulf reflects many Anglo-Saxon values. The Anglo-Saxon epic stresses the physical world, fairness, boasting, love of glory, belief in wyrd, deep sense of loyalty to the tribe and the tribal leader, and the importance of generosity and bravery.

The Anglo-Saxon value of fairness is reflected by Beowulf. He asks Hrothgar the favor of fighting alone with Grendel with only the help of his men, as stated in this line, "That this one favor you should not refuse me-that I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall." Beowulf also demonstrates fairness when he decides that he will use no weapons with his battle with Grendel. Beowulf hears about the fact that Grendel's scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none, therefore neither will Beowulf.

Another Anglo-Saxon belief is also demonstrated by Beowulf, this being the value of boasting. Beowulf boasts a lot to Hrothgar about all his successes. He brags about his strength and valor. He describes many treacherous journeys in which he killed many of his enemies, drove five great giants into chains, swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one. This boasting is important because it assists Hrothgar in believing that Beowulf is the right man to defeat Grendel. While Beowulf boasts about is great strength, he is also loyal to the king, reflecting another Anglo-Saxon value of being lenient to the lord.

Hrothgar demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon value of love of glory in the poem. When Hrothgar leads the Danes to glory, he decides to build a hall that would hold his mighty band. And in that hall he would divide the spoils of their victories to his comrades and kinsmen. He fulfills his promise naming the mead hall Herot and commending a banquet.

Many of the Anglo-Saxon values expressed in Beowulf revolve around boasting, loyalty, strength and fairness. The comprising of these qualities makes Beowulf the hero, and Beowulf an excellent literary work of Anglo-Saxon history.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Archetypes In Beowulf

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf Primary Values: *“Heroism is most valuable treasure” Pg. 58 Lines 850-855 *“Evil never triumphs (Regardless of how the outcome may seem during the battle)” Pg. 47 Lines 405-410 Lines 320-360 Secondary Values: *“The part is not important as the whole” *“Heroism is a significant part of everyone’s society”…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf’s first intention when traveling to the Daneland was to keep his father’s friendship with Hrothgar intact. Although Beowulf had a sounds cause for traveling to the Daneland, the fame and glory Beowulf later received became his main focus and motivated him to continue entering life threatening battles. This piece of literature showcases the accomplishments and celebrations of a young Geat named Beowulf. Throughout the entire epic, Beowulf has many achievements which influence his god-like appearance within the Anglo-Saxon society. The average reader may be so mesmerized with his talents, they might overlook the fact that Beowulf continues to enter battles in order to boost his self…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    During the Anglo Saxon era in England, a valiant and brave warrior was one of the most valuable assets a king could have. Due to this, much of the writing from this period were epics and tales with a heroic warrior as the main character. One of the most famous examples or archetypes of this type of writing is the epic poem Beowulf. In this story, the main character, Beowulf, is a marvelous warrior and possesses many of the various Anglo Saxon traits. There are three categories of characteristics in Beowulf that are particularly effective and intriguing, and those include: The lord providing rewards for a warrior’s service, the values…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A poem written by an anonymous author over one hundred years ago has described that an Anglo-Saxon hero always has the qualities of courage, generosity, and faithfulness. This poem is Beowulf and in this poem those three qualities apply to one character, Beowulf.…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the character trait of bravery. He goes before all others when things go bad. He would rather risk his own life, than to see someone else risk theirs. He asked a favor to the ruler…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    To understand the famous Anglo- Saxon hero Beowulf, one must understand the culture that created Beowulf. The Anglo- Saxons were influential, strong, and loyal people. Research has found that, “the Anglo- Saxons arrived in Britain in about 449 A.D.”(BBC). This shows that Anglo- Saxon culture has had an influence on American history for a long duration of time because they are still discussed today. And were probably some of the first heroes that ever lived. This culture showed a great deal of braveness throughout their time. The men were put in many different situations, but their daring drive, and courageousness allowed them to persevere. According to the Germanic (Anglo Saxon) Warrior, “A glorious and courageous death was the only fitting end to a glorious life” (Hammack). This statement shows that the men took pride in fighting to protect their citizens, no matter what adversities came their way. It also shows that they had no fear and dying to save someone else, which was a very brave thing to do. Another characteristic displayed in Anglo- Saxon culture was loyalty. The warriors would never leave any of their comrades behind in battle. Hammack described this idea in this way:…

    • 1312 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a hero was to the Germanic peoples. Through his respect to kinship, bravery, honor, strength, and intelligence, Beowulf offers to Germanic men a model of a great warrior and leader, a model every man should strive to emulate.…

    • 881 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay Example on Beowulf

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Anglo-Saxon culture embraces virtues such as courage, strength, loyalty, cunning, and generosity. These virtues are exemplified by the epic hero Beowulf. Beowulf possesses each of these characteristics. Throughout the epic tale of Beowulf, the hero displays each of these virtues through his actions and adventures.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Loyalty

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In this case, when Beowulf first arrives to the Danish shore, he boasts to Hrothgar, “That I, alone and with the help of my men,/ May purge all evil from this hall” (260-261). Beowulf promises the Danes’ lord in his speech that he will kill Grendel. By making this promise, Beowulf is giving Hrothgar his trust and will stay faithful to his promise. Furthermore, after the battle with Grendel, the epic illustrates, “No Dane doubted/ The victory… Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s/ Arm, claw and shoulder” (407-410). Beowulf won the fight with Grendel and proved his skill as a warrior by harming the monster. By maintaining his promise to Hrothgar to slay Grendel, Beowulf demonstrates his loyalty. In essence, Beowulf lived up to the ideal of his loyalty to…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The theme of Beowulf that I believe corresponds to me in the eyes of others the most is integrity and honor. As an aspiring student driven to attend the United States Naval Academy, the Honor Concept holds more weight to me than most. Beowulf is a hero because he embodies and exemplifies the traits and morals the society saw as powerful and valuable.…

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Burton Raffel

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Whereas “[Beowulf] quickly commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that [ he would] go to that famous king, [he] would sail across the sea to Hrothgar” (113-115). Beowulf exhibits that he is selfless. He is selfless since he is going to another country to protect the citizens from Grendel. Beowulf had ordered his followers to “ go to [Grendel] as [they] are, in [their] armor and helmets, but leave [the] battle-shields, and [the] spears” (131-134). Beowulf demonstrates bravery due to the fact that he tells his men to leave their weapons behind as they approached the mead-hall. This shows that he never exhibits fear when facing danger. Especially when Beowulf says that “[his] hands alone shall fight for [him], struggle for life against the monster” (172-174). Beowulf is honorable since he fights Grendel without a weapon considering Grendel does not have a weapon. Therefore, Beowulf symbolizes heroic ideals that have been established in any epics ever written.…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Beowulf is a very courageous character and recounts his acts of courage to every person who will listen. In the poem Beowulf tells of his previous courageous actions in destroying a tribe of giants, defeating sea monsters in the night and returning from battle covered in his enemies blood. Beowulf has come to King Hrothgar to fight an ogre. A monster that has brought misery and death to the Danes for many years. This ogre, Grendel, killed thirty of Hrothgar’s men and caused the great mead hall of Herot to be closed. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar “the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (lines 262-264) Therefore Beowulf intends to fight the Grendel without his armor or his sword. Beowulf may be so courageous because he believes so strongly in fate shaping his successes in the past. Beowulf believes that if it is his fate to win against Grendel then he will win. If it is his fate to die…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: An Epic Hero

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero because he adhered to the core values of Anglo-Saxon society that are presented throughout the epic. Beowulf was able to overcome extreme obstacles and rule fairly because of his ethical nature, bravery, and significance in the Anglo-Saxon world. These important characteristics are still valued by modern society, and define an epic hero, enabling the story of Beowulf to remain relevant to readers…

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    How Beowulf Is A Hero

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf told by the Anglo- Saxons, the main character Beowulf shares some of the qualities that traditional heroes have. He shows bravery, fairness, responsibilities, and ambition. Throughout the whole poem, Beowulf’s actions characterize him as a hero. He puts himself in harm's way to protect his people and the people of Herot from the wicked monster Grendel. Beowulf never once ran from his battles against the monsters he faced. This shows the reader that he is truly a heroic figure.…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For conclude, to become a greatest hero like Beowulf, he has to have these qualities: bossy, independent, and fearless. Beowulf is an awesome hero, he saves many people from the monsters. Even when he has to face the death, he still doing what he said to keep his…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics