Anglo-Saxon Values Essay

“Then when darkness had dropped, Grendel went up to Herot, wondering what the warriors would do in that hall when their drinking was done. He found them sprawled in sleep, suspecting nothing , their dreams undisturbed. The monsters thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: He slipped through the door and there in silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them, unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, blood dripping behind him, back to his lair, delighted with his nights slaughter (Narrator pg. 42 lines 30-40)”. Beowulf is a folk epic translated by Burton Raffel. Its a story about a hero with the strengths of a bear and a wolf called to a desperate town to defeat vicious monsters who have been tormenting them for the past

As warrior is known for many different traits and values, none of them are equal to how important the value of honor has on a warrior. The value of honor is important as it sets up the base of how a warrior should act. This value can be seen, throughout Beowulf as it is the main value that Beowulf centers around. At the beginning of the poem, Beowulf demonstrated his honor by coming to aid the Danes as not only to help the country but to also show off his strength as a warrior. The honor shown by Beowulf can also be seen through most of his boasting as he not only brings honor to his own country but himself as well. As the art of boasting during the time frame was very popular among warriors,

In the story of Beowulf you get a glimpse of many different themes throughout this epic. Those themes range from good and evil to those of death and glory. The story itself depicts a period in history when life was lead "blind" through the teachings of the book of the lord and his spoken words. At this same period in history traditional pagan religious practices and beliefs have slowly given way to the ideals and philosophy of Christianity. Many of the themes held within the pages of Beowulf stem from the proverbs and fables recited and practiced in the Old Testament, while concurrently adding pagan beliefs of monsters, demons, and multiple gods. The most striking of these biblical comparisons is viewed between Grendel

We all have told lies many times in our lives; and yet, the truths we tell reveal that we can redeem or prove our bravery. We may also describe honor as a sign of respect; That is, respect to humanity, respect to loyalty, and respect to ourselves. This is best described in Beowulf as the titular character arrives in Danes to assist Hrothgar, King of the Danes, to slay off the monster that is Grendel, proving he is the most honorable and strongest soldier of the Geats. For instance, Beowulf states, "My people have said, the wisest, most knowing / And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes' / Great King. They have seen my strength for themselves, / Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, / Dripping with my enemies' blood" (Beowulf 149-153). This quote is highly significant, given that Beowulf is of noble birth, because Beowulf is showing a sign of honor, or respect to his loyalty to the Geats. In this case, he reminds the Danes of his noble adventures of glory, knowing his destiny is to win every battle he has fought with a sense that it is all for glory alone. Beowulf full-on demonstrates the trait of honor in my personal code, and yet, I have a slight feeling that the epic poem alone may not just demonstrate a partition of my

To begin, Beowulf has a complex motivation for fighting the monster Grendel. His first motivation is duty which is part of the Anglo-Saxon code he’s obligated to go and kill Grendel. His people told him so go and do it so he does duty comes first and personal choice comes second. On page 47 lines 244-246 Beowulf says, “My people have said, the wisest, most knowing And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ Great king.”

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem, The Knight’s Tale, the author encapsulates chivalrous characteristics in his telling of a battle for love. In its fundamental form, chivalry idealizes a knight’s conduct, both on and off the battlefield (Gregory-Abbott). Chaucer employs this “heroic code [of] bravery, loyalty, and service to one's lord” to illustrate the idillic knight throughout the narrative (Rossignol). Chaucer’s poem, The Knight’s Tale, exhibits the ideals of chivalry in the form of two knights, desperately in love with the same woman, and a wise Duke who embodies the voice of reason. Each knight upholds honor through compassion, troths, and heroism on the battlefield, despite their afflictions with each other.

Although distanced by hundreds of years, the Old English epic poem Beowulf and the Middle English verse of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are similar within the context of pride. And as much as they are similar in this respect, they are also some very important differences in the way

Beowulf was a great man who accomplished many things in his lifetime. He won gold, armor, horses, honor, friendship, and, above all, fame. He defeated multiple beasts, saving many lives, and was bestowed with both tangible riches and intangible glory after each of these feats. He had been referred to as “the people’s pride and love,” (line 2900) showing just a fraction of the honor he went on to win.

The character Beowulf embodied the Pagan heroic code (comitatus), but he also exhibited Christian values. Overall, he was a warrior and a hero who sought fame and reputation. Most of his actions were motivated by his desire to be remembered after his death as a courageous and loyal warrior. When Beowulf hears about Hrothgar’s trouble he goes to help him. He wants to help him for a few reasons, all of which relate to the comitatus. He wants to acquire fame and he wants lifelong honor. By beating Grendel he would receive honor and his reputation would be enhanced. Also, Beowulf wants to repay Hrothgar for settling a feud for his father years before. Beowulf is willing to do battle for the old king even though it means that he could die.

Beowulf is an epic poem written in Anglo-Saxon times, by an unknown poet. Beowulf is a Geatish man who rescues the Danish people from evil, and helps save his own country from destruction. Beowulf, renowned for his bravery, and known as the strongest man alive, acquires the help of fourteen thanes to sail with him to Denmark. There he is involved in two battles with two evil monsters. He then fights another battle in his homeland with a Fire dragon. Without violence in Beowulf, heroism would be impossible as evidenced by Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, his mother, and the Fire dragon. Beowulf first shows his heroic nature in the fight with Grendel. After all the men in the great hall of Heorot fall asleep, Beowulf

With no known author, Beowulf, originated in oral-tradition representing the Anglo-Saxon culture and lifestyle. It is a showcase work of “art”, serving as a purpose of moral instructions. Beowulf, shows a great demonstration on important Anglo-Saxon values. The main characters, Beowulf and Wiglaf, help portray the values of which the Anglo-Saxon hold among their culture. The poem, Beowulf exhibits three monumental values they uphold: bravery, honor, and loyalty.

Grendel symbolizes evil and how the Anglo-Saxons of that time believed in things, such as demons and monsters; tangible enemies that could come and destroy or wipe out everything, at any given time. Beowulf symbolizes Christianity and the more modern way of thinking. We think although there are forces that can come together for the greater good, they are not monsters and demons. The idea of an ordinary or what seems to be ordinary man and woman can be just as powerful as any monster or demon there was. In the epic, Beowulf and ordinary man with extraordinary strength goes against Grendel, a ‘‘Bone crunching blood sucking monster’’, there was supposed to be no fear in this monsters heart at all.

Throughout Old English literature, the themes of loyalty and pride have played a large component in the narratives of the protagonists. While Beowulf was written after the Anglo-Saxon tribes had been Christianized the pagan elements of the past still dominated the culture. The retention of these themes within Beowulf reflects the landscape of England at the time, because even though it was Christianized, England still had many pagan elements such as pride within its culture. Conversely, even though Lanval was written at a later date when pagan elements subsumed with Christian elements the concept of chivalry had arisen thus the poem is still tinged with the themes of loyalty and pride. From observing the themes of loyalty and pride in Beowulf and Lanval we can discern the

Grendel’s Defeat Beowulf embodies the ideal of a strong, courageous warrior that was desired and revered during this age. This is shown through the many feats he boasts about, including how he has “battled and bound…raided…slaughtered…devastated” many monsters during his travels (lines 420-424). This is further shown in the defeats of Grendel and Grendel’s mother when he stays at Heorot.

Beowulf came to aid King Hrothgar because Beowulf owed Hrothgar for aiding Beowulf’s father, this shows in honorability to repay his father's debt. During Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, Beowulf puts away his weapon and shield to fight Grendel with his hands. Even though this proved to be far more effective than weapons, Beowulf’s intention was to even out the fight, he “bore himself with valour; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honour and took no advantage” (2177-2179). Beowulf’s actions prove his honorability which many good characters/heroes in stories across cultures