Preview

Cultural Values In Beowulf

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
669 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Cultural Values In Beowulf
Jeremy Kazmierczyk
Mrs. Philips
Brit Lit/Comp
19 September 2017

The Cultural Values of the Anglo-Saxons A large part of any culture are the values and ideals that it has. The values of a culture can usually be found in its literature. Anglo-Saxon literature shows the values of that time in that culture. The Anglo-Saxons valued bravery, loyalty, and justice or fairness, and it is evident in their literature. The Anglo-Saxons valued bravery. In the story of Beowulf, Beowulf is viewed as the best hero who ever lived. He is admired for many of his qualities. Bravery being the one of them. He willingly fights dangerous beasts and risks his life to protect the people. Beowulf also displays bravery when he confronts the beast. He never

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf vs. Grandaddy

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages

    All throughout history there have been many different interpretations on what traits a real hero holds; the Anglo-Saxon era and modern day history seem to hold quite a few similarities. Beowulf, a definite characterization of the Anglo-Saxon idea of true heroism, can easily be compared to a modern-day lionheart: my grandfather. Both hold the basic principles of being significantly glorified, holding a high moral standing, and possessing integrity, strength, and responsibility when leading others. Both are incredibly influential and important to those around them.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the heroic characteristics of being brave. Beowulf would go and fight taking a risk of his own life on the line just to help out others. not for himself.. at all. But others around him. Beowulf went into it knowing that this nasty slaying dragon was bigger than him but he still didn't have a doubt in his mind going in to fight this dragon.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory 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
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gregory Bateson said, “Without context, words and actions have no meaning at all” (Mind and Nature 15). That quote may seem melodramatic, but surely you acknowledge the axiomatic certainty of the foundational importance of context. The proper context is imperative to understanding the content, and context is fundamental to understanding Beowulf. Warren Christopher said, “It's very important to always put statements in their historical contexts. It teaches important lessons about the country in question.” To assimilate the historical context of Beowulf you must envisage the time period it is set in, the culture at the time, and the technology. I will aid you in your comprehension of the cultural context primarily.…

    • 190 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    One heroic quality that Beowulf possesses is courage. Beowulf shows courage through the entire story. The fact he even decided to come help the danes proves this quality. There were many other ways that showed this as well: fighting grendel, taking on his mother, fighting the dragon, etc. One specific example of Beowulf displaying courage…

    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the story of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, possesses great amounts of courage, valor, and bravery in which all of these are used to overcome great feats. Beowulf shows courage by talking on the monster Grendel with only his bare hands. “The monsters flight, fastened those claws in his fist till they cracked.” Reference to page 49, lines: 330-340, 360-380. He shows valor by putting himself forward to take on the monster and not backing down from a challenge. “Then he saw the mighty water witch and swung his sword, his ring marked blade, straight at her head.” Reference to page 52, lines: 491-500, 530-540, 555-564. Lastly, he shows bravery when he goes in after the dragon even when he knows he is too old. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good 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

    Hero and Essay 1-beowulf

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Being courageous is one of the first qualities that sets a hero apart from a common human being. Being courageous means to stand up to adversity without fear, to continue to forge on regardless of the daunting things one faces. Beowulf was not shy about showing his courage. When he hears of Grendal’s torment to Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf races to their aid. He does not hesitate when he asks permission of Hrothgar to slay Grendal. He knows thus far, they have been unable to defeat the demon. When Grendal comes to the kingdom that same night, Beowulf, using no weapons other than his bare hands, looks -Grendal in the eyes and rips off his arm, causing him to be mortally wounded. (Lines 750-820) This passage of Beowulf is a great example of what it means to be…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 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

    Many times a group of people seek a leader they can trust and have confidence in to protect and lead them the right way. In the epic poem Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxons have found just that, a powerful leader, they can trust. Beowulf, the main character and leader, proved his worth and receives lof from his people. Beowulf shows his lof, or fame and pride, by showing his cultural heroism by fighting Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon.…

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Vs Today

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's traits, good and bad, define him as a hero by Anglo-Saxon standards. But his arrogance, greed and selfishness contradict the modern, humanistic image of a hero. When it comes to Beowulf getting what he wants, nothing will stand between him and his goal. No amount of lives lost is too many for Beowulf, and the high cost to others only contributes to his glory. In his own time and culture, he was the ultimate hero of legend because he saved his people from monsters attacking them. But he falls far short when compared to today’s standards of selflessness, in which heroes are defined by risking their lives for others, and thus valuing their own less. Today’s heroes know that he may not make it out of the…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 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

    Beowulf

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Courage is essential to any hero. Beowulf demonstrates no shortage of bravery-this is apparent throughout the entire text. The example of Beowulf fighting the fearsome Grendel with no weapon is one of many; he also travels, alone, to the lake-bottom lair of Grendel's mother and defeats her in short order. At the end of the poem, he comes up against a fire-breathing dragon and slays the beast, even as it mortally wounds him in the process. This streak of courage is best exemplified, I believe, in this seemingly-inconsequential quote: "Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death.". Does death not lie at the root of all fear? Do we not shrink from darkness, from poison, from gunfire, because we fear death? And Beowulf, as the poet says, is indifferent to life's only certainty. He rides into battle with no fear, supremely confident in himself and his abilities. This is true courage: the ability to stand up to overwhelming odds with perseverance and determination.…

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    all accepted his "very word far and wide as a command." The people also give…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays