Beowulf: Similarities Between The Anglo-Saxon People And Their Culture

The core beliefs and the things the anglo-saxons saw as important are clear throughout the story of beowulf. The anglo-saxons believed in strong loyalty to each other and to the leader. The anglo saxons also had a pagan background and saw warriors as high members of society. All these beliefs and core values are exhibited in beowulf.

Topic sentence: The Anglo Saxons valued their leaders as well they have similar values as in Beowulf. Beowulf was an Anglo Saxon hero he was everything they valued in Christopher Garcia explains that "strength and physical appearance were what they valued most". Anglo Saxon culture is very similar to the culture in Beowulf as well. In Beowulf, Beowulf has to defeat monsters to protect his kingdom. Encyclopedia describes the Anglo Saxon culture as "the practice of blood-feud, the institution of the retinue (war-band), both of which could contribute to a high level of violence and instability in élite society". War and fighting was normal in Anglo Saxon culture, along with "lordship and of kinship". What the Anglo Saxon wrote in Beowulf was a similar out look on how their life's were

The Anglo-Saxons held several different values than what we do today. Some people say they would have fit in better back in those days. However if you look at some of the things the American culture values today, you will see some similar values. Comparing Beowulf to our modern day values several things can be compared and contrasted.

“No better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.” This is an ultimate description of the heroic events of Beowulf, an old Anglo-Saxon poem about a warrior who battles and destroys three horrifying monsters. Although written long ago, the emotions expressed within this work, emotions of bravery, valor, and ethics still speak to us centuries later. The anonymous author of the poem convinces us through the masterful use of various literary elements that emphasize its meaning and message. Conflict, imagery and setting are three literary elements that contribute to the effectiveness of the poem.

Each individual culture has many cultural truths that a group of people follow and believe in. Cultural truths are principles, values, or standards important to a group of people, which display moral behaviors that are respected and immoral actions that are scorned at. Also, cultural truths are norms in a society that you are born into and are expected to do daily because they shape the lifestyle of a group. For example, during the Anglo-Saxon period, there were a number of cultural truths that were applied to everyday actions and attitudes. An epic poem, composed based on the Anglo-Saxon period called Beowulf, written by an unknown author translated by Seamus Heaney, depicts many of the cultural values of the time period. In the poem, is it revealed that all the cultural values in the Anglo-Saxon culture are developed from the idea of a warrior culture. The epic poem is about a hero named Beowulf from the Geats tribe who goes off and helps Hrothgar and the Danes defeat a monster, Grendel, who attacks their mead hall. Before Beowulf meets his fate he fights three monsters, which includes Grendel, to protect the lives of people in two different tribes. Within the epic poem Beowulf, there are several of cultural values presented and focused on such as, courage in battle, fidelity to one’s word, and loyalty to kinsmen, which are all demonstrated by Beowulf.

Every culture has its own set of beliefs values and customs. Cultural beliefs, values, and assumptions are directly and indirectly acquired throughout a lifetime. A culture is the sum of a group’s way of life and this is no different with the ancient Anglo Saxon culture. Cultures usually have distinct figures that reflect their culture as a whole. The importance of religion, values, and heroes are reflected a great deal in the epic poem of Beowulf accurately showing the Anglo Saxon culture as a whole.

Since it was first discovered and translated, Beowulf has represented one of the finest examples of heroic poetry. As a tale reflecting the noble deeds of a hero, it uniquely expresses the cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons from whom it originated since heroes often do reflect the best of what their culture deems worthwhile. However, modern adaptations of this work express a different set of cultural values; values unique to modern society. When comparing the translated poem, Beowulf, to the 2005 motion picture, Beowulf and Grendel, it is obvious to see that our morals and ideas are reflected on this ancient poem. The movie, Beowulf and Grendel, and the epic, Beowulf, are prime examples of the radical cultural differences that have evolved over time.

Literature in a certain time period can reflect the ideals and values of the people who existed during the time period. values such as loyalty, heroism, and paganism conflicted with Christianity. Many of these deals from the Anglo Saxon period can easily be compared to the situations in the epic poem Beowulf

lives due to the heroes following a “heroic code” and anglo-saxon values. Beowulf is the

Beowulf has been translated from long ago, so no one knows if he was a real person or just a story. There are nine values that give strength to the inner self and respect for others and the community. Anglo Saxon’s were community and family based people. Their value included Courage and Selflessness, Truth, Honor, and Perseverance. Beowulf was a normal man who worked hard to achieve his goals and make life better for those around him.

Beowulf, the great warrior of the Geats hears about a monster named Grendel, a monster who controls Herot. Herot is a town that’s in desperate need for a savior; consequently, Beowulf believes that he can be that guy. The author of this Beowulf is unfortunately unknown. There are many examples of Anglo-Saxon values in Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon’s values are key to how they live their life.

Way back around 410 A.D., there were people called Anglo-Saxons. These people lived similarly to the way we live today in the fact that they did everyday things, they told stories, and they believed in all sorts of things. This essay is going to be about the mind body and spirit of the Anglo-Saxon people.

In the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, it is said, "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people" (Beowulf 5). That being stated, it is very apparent throughout the entirety of the story. The main character, Beowulf, quickly comes to a position of power once defeating multiple atrocities and executing numerous heroic deeds. The people in the city admire Beowulf and abide to his ways; but once offered kingship, he declines. Throughout the epic poem, it is obvious that Beowulf would rather be a hero than a king because of the individual representation that comes with it, the rewards, and the self-reliant aspect.

The Anglo-Saxon Values Students read Beowulf in highschool to further understand Anglo-Saxon culture. Why would Anglo-Saxons be relevant to today’s culture? Anglo saxons valued loyalty, bravery, and honor. Today, we still feel the need to have loyalty to our peers, have courage in the tasks we do, and honor each other when we feel deserved. A large part of anglo saxon culture was loyalty to your lord or king.

After a long journey, you find yourself in uncharted territory. As you scout the area, you notice a small village off in the distance. Upon approaching this settlement, you are greeted by some armed townsfolk. They attack you without warning, and take you to a large hall in the center of town. There, you see many men parading around in an intoxicated stupor, showing off their trophies and talking of their success in past battles and wars. They eat with bare hands, ripping at the food and drinking until they can no longer handle themselves, finding a home on the open floor. The hall is dressed with weapons of war, from shields to swords and everything in between. The women are wrapped in chains, fulfilling their only purpose of serving the