Beowulf: The Epitome Of An Anglo-Saxon Warrior

Being a hero can mean many different things. A modern day hero might be someone who has a strong moral code or someone that has extraordinary powers and abilities but, looking back in time the meaning of a hero has changed slightly. During Anglo-Saxon times, being a hero meant being loyal to their lord and god, having a sense of duty, being selfless, having honor, being intelligent, and boasting. It also meant being brave and having courage, having a sense of justice, and having larger than life strength. A great example of an Anglo-Saxon hero is Beowulf from “Beowulf,” written by an unknown author. In this poem, Beowulf exemplifies the characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon hero because he was brave and courageous, he had superhuman strength, and he had a unique sense of justice.

Anglo Saxon values are portrayed throughout Beouwulf and allows reeaders to understand the concept of a hero. The warrior Beowulf is introduced as “Higlacs / follower and the strongest of the Geats” (ll. 109-110). To quench his thirst for fame and an epic quest, he sets sail to honor a favor. Because of Beowulf’s great strength and noble birth, he is able to complete his quest which in turn makes him and epic hero.

The Anglo-Saxon people were fighters. The heros of Anglo-Saxon period were best defined as an honorable warrior. Beowulf showcases his warrior like qualities through his strength. It was said that Beowulf had the strength of 30 men in just one of his arms. He goes on a quest to kill Grendel the monster that had been riotously killing King Hrothgar’s most cherished people. All the citizens of Herot had fled

In the epic poem “From Beowulf “translated by Burton Raffel, Beowulf shows honor and through his honor earns fame all the way till his death in his final battle. Beowulf fights for the honor and the fame he loves it he goes into ever battle

Similarly to the great kings during the Anglo-Saxon time period, Beowulf is a great warrior who achieves many victories such as his battle with Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and the Dragon. He recognizes his own abilities and uses it to help others such as Hrothgar’s men, the Danes. The amount of strength that he has to battle one on one with the creatures that others deem unkillable is extraordinary. In his battle with Grendel, he uses his own tactics to gain victory and kill him. The text says, “The battle was over, Beowulf had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, but wounded as he was could flee to his den…” (340-342)

Beowulf is an epic poem being cited as one of the most important works of Old English literature. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem. The poem is set in Scandinavia. Beowulf, a hero of Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Herot has been under attack by a monster named Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is mortally wounded in the battle. After his death, his attendants cremate his body and erect a tower on a headland in his memory. Beowulf is clearly a hero because of his brave deeds, he is a strong and responsible leader, and his courage. Beowulf is a hero because of his brave deeds. Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf does many deeds which are considered to be brave during the Anglo-Saxon period.“Grendel is no braver, no stronger/Than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not,Easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold And famous fighter, but his claws and teeth.../ Beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. I will meet him With my hands empty-unless his heart /Fails him, seeing a soldier waiting /Weaponless, unafraid. Let God in His wisdom /Extend His hand where He wills, reward /Whom he chooses!”. In his first battle, Beowulf fights Grendel. He fights without any armor. Also, Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother. He then

Ms. D’Eon World Literature 10 October 09 2015 Five Paragraph Essay How does one use a book to portray a message? There are many authors in this world who wrote a book that ends with a moral or a message. This idea of making sure the reader learns something goes way back in history, even back to the Anglo-Saxon Period. Beowulf, is the story of a hero who uses his inhumane powers for the good of others and is the key image of a Germanic Warrior.

Warriors are considered among the bravest of men. In the Anglo-Saxon community, the warriors were of the most respected class, and made up the foundation for their way of living. Anglo-Saxon warriors would not stop fighting until either they were victorious or they were dead. Written during this Anglo-Saxon period, the epic Beowulf contains many pagan ideals, in addition to several references to Christian philosophy. Beowulf is a tale of dual ordeals; an external fight against treacherous enemies, and an internal struggle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, and betrayal. The story intertwines them with both pagan and Christian beliefs.

Originating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. Praised and admired by many people, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero; his eagerness to seek glory and fame, rather than richness and treasures, his loyalty and graceful attitude not only to his rulers but also to his followers, and his contradictory beliefs of faith and fate

Beowulf is extremely confident in himself, to the point where he thinks that no man can be as great as him. His attitude clearly shows his overflowing belief in his strength. He thinks that even if he were to die, he cannot be replaced by another warrior because he’s too powerful to compare to any other man. Although he did defeat the monster, he still shouldn't consider himself as the greatest warrior to ever exist because one victory doesn't determine your entire reputation. His only defeat doesn't make him the strongest warrior, it just makes him the most boastful one. Bragging about how he’s some rare, valuable treasure is an overestimation of who he really is. While it is good that he is confident about himself because it motivates him

Anglo Saxon’s history is well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. Beowulf our protagonist is symbolized as a hero, who represents the Anglo Saxons at the time. Beowulf earns his fame and respect through battling creatures nobody else would want to face. These creatures symbolize the evil that lurks beyond the dark. Beowulf’s intense battle with these creatures’ symbolizes the epic battle of good versus evil. In the end good triumphs over evil but one cannot avoid death. Beowulf’s death can be symbolized as the death of the Anglo Saxons. Beowulf’s battle through the poem reflects the kind of culture that the Anglo Saxons had. The youth of a warrior to his maturity then the last fight which results in death. Beowulf wanted to be

In his boastful first speech to Hrothgar in lines 244-246, “ My people have said, the wisest, most knowing and best of them, that it was my duty to go to the Danes’ Great king,”. The leaders of the land of the Geats, Beowulf’s people, said that he has a exceptional skill set

The Anglo-Saxons’ cultures and traditions are rooted in their beliefs of the perfect hero. Their ideal hero has many key characteristics influenced by their culture including courage, strength, bravery, thick skin, loyalty, humbleness, and the ability to create strong trustworthy friendships. Beowulf is an epic poem that exhibits the ideal Anglo-Saxon hero. The Anglo-Saxon traditions illustrated in Beowulf accurately represent the Anglo-Saxon traditions of the time period. This is accomplished through the distinct correlation of heroic characteristics between Beowulf and the culture’s traditional depiction of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

Within the Anglo-Saxon culture, becoming a well-known warrior and successful in war was a major factor in being recognized as the best of the best. Beowulf follows the story of a young warrior, Beowulf, fighting his way up the ladder of success who represents a typical hero from the Anglo-Saxon time period. Throughout the poem, he is met with vicious creatures from the supernatural world which tend to create violent obstacles that he must overcome to create a certain image of a superb thane. By developing the character of Beowulf through his direct and indirect involvements with monsters, the poet reveals his desire for reputation which can lead to pride and his death.

The Anglo-Saxon people were known in their time as fearless warriors. They yearned for battle as an opportunity to prove themselves. In the poem Beowulf this is shown to great effect. The entire work revolves around Beowulf’s quest to defeat a monster in battle, to show his strength. Beowulf brags about his feats in battle, saying “no man swims in the sea/ As I can, no strength is a match for mine” ( “Beowulf” lines 254-255). To the Anglo-Saxon warriors described in this poem, there was no higher honor than that of the battlefield. After winning the battle with Grendel “... Beowulf/ Had been granted new glory…” ( “Beowulf” lines 470-471). This idea was so prevalent in