What Effect Has Anglo-Saxon And Medieval Cultures Had On Today's Society

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.

Growing up, everyone has a idea on what a hero looks like. Heros represent a lot of different aspects of bravery. Every culture in history has had a heroic figure. In most cultures heroes portray different aspects of being a hero. In Anglo-Saxon times heroes were considered strong, and fearless. Beowulf is a true epic hero in Anglo- Saxon times because he is very fearless, strong, and honored.

During the Anglo-Saxon era, the Anglo-Saxons were invaded by monsters and demons. In addition, the Anglo-Saxons were in search for a hero. That hero turned out to be the great Beowulf. Beowulf fits the characteristics of the ideal hero: he has superhuman strength, a desire for glory, and courage.

A hero is one who is not only strong, but one who uses his strength to uphold others. A hero is humble, philanthropic, magnanimous and selfless, a humanitarian at best. In the unprecedented epic Beowulf, the tale’s namesake exemplifies every characteristic befitting an Anglo-Saxon hero. He is honest, loyal, and courageous. He portrays these characteristics in the battle against Grendel, the affray with Grendel’s mother, and the fight against the dragon that inevitably ended his life.

Some of the most common values during the Anglo-Saxon period include courage, loyalty and generosity. The Anglo-Saxon era was almost always in the state of war which is why it is a time when fighting is valued more than working things out. This meant that heroes of this period fought for fame, glory, and pride. Heroes were expected to boast. Beowulf, the best symbol for Anglo-Saxon heroes, proves this by volunteering to fight the monster just because he was bored and wanted to do something he can brag about. In the story, Beowulf boasts of his bravery by talking about his past battles and victories. Beowulf basically acts more for his own glory than for the general well-being to his people. While in our modern period,

According Maya Angelou, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making on making this a better place for all people.” These words prove true for the hero in the epic poem, Beowulf, who bravely leaves Geatland to seek glory and protects mankind from evil monsters to make the world a better place for people. Living in a harsh world that made survival difficult, the Anglo-Saxons relied on the community to overcome many challenge. Beowulf clearly illustrates the Anglo-Saxons ideals of conduct.In particular, the story reveals the importance of fame and glory,loyalty and strength.

Before the English culture came to play, it first had to develop during the times of the Anglo-Saxons. Numerous events happened during that time from invasions, organizations and their structures of life. The Normans, who were pagan barbarians, came to Europe during the 8th century and contributed to the development of English culture with their lifestyle culture and developing their government. The Normans were slowly adapting to the lifestyle in Europe, obtaining influences from the Anglo-Saxons.

The Anglo-Saxon refers to the settlers from the German regions of Angeln and Saxony, who made their way over to Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire around AD 410. Thus, paved the way to be known as the Anglo-Saxon Era. But I, the author of this essay, will simply discuss the Anglo-Saxon’s similarities and differences with the present modern time, specifically in three areas. And these areas would be gender roles, language and social conduct.

During the Anglo-Saxon literature and culture, to be a hero was to be a warrior. A hero had to be strong, and have the presence of intelligence and bravery. The warriors had to fight unto their death when needed in order to fight for the glory of their people. In addition, these heroes had to still be able to encompass humility and care in pursuance to be considered the perfect Anglo-Saxon hero, but that is proven not to be an easy task. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf illustrate heroes in the face of urgency, however each character views their own importance in their society. Both heroes display the attributes of an Anglo-Saxon hero, but Beowulf tends to reside in popularity whereas Sir Gawain values his dignity. To sacrifice a life is not related to the sacrifice of who one is; one should not sacrifice one's dignity to try to attain glory.

In Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, three values of the Anglo-Saxon period are illustrated: Christianity, bravery, and warrior tribes. The epic poem overt what true hero Beowulf is in this narrative. It explains what it takes to be an in the shoes of Beowulf itself. The Anglo-Saxon Heroic Code was the key element of life for warriors living in the time characterize in the epic poem ''Beowulf''. The Anglo-Saxon Heroic Code was the viral element of life for warriors living in the time describing in the epic poem ''Beowulf''.

Anglo-Saxons thought that heroes were to be bold, strong, fearless, loyal, and show an indifference to pain. The Anglo-Saxon considered Beowulf a hero. Heroes were to help other countries that were in need and go beyond the friendships to their lord if needed. The kings in this period were to be heroic as well. The people expected the king to not only be heroic, but also extraordinary and generous. The kings were known to be courageous and by showing this great courage, they succeeded in many wars they were involved in.

The Anglo Saxons were invaders from the Baltic shores of Germany and Jutes from the peninsula of Jutland in Denmark, they actually settled the greater part of Britain. In England, there are still traces of their culture, especially their language can still be found. The most heroic Celtic leaders was called Arthur, who developed in legend as the “once and future king.” The life of the Anglo Saxons was not full of luxurious, and it was not dominated by scholarship and the arts. The leader had the responsibility to protect the given group and make law and order, whether family, clan, tribe, or kingdom. Fame and success, even survival, were achieved through loyalty to such a leader, especially during war times, and success was in gifts from the

Many fail to realize the effect that the Anglo-Saxon culture has on today’s society. Through extensive studies, historians gathered evidence left by the Anglo-Saxons which validated who they were as a culture and how they impacted the world. As I read certain passages of the article, the people living in the Anglo-Saxon era have the same brain as someone today; however, the Anglo-Saxons used this capacity differently.

Everybody knows that usually wherever you live that the first warrior that you know is a knight. However not many people know how important the Anglo Saxons were. The Anglo Saxons made many technology development and their culture is very interesting and their stories everyone loves.

The Anglo-Saxons can loosely be defined as the Germanic tribes who settled in Britain at the start of the 5th century with the fall of the Roman Empire. The importance of these settlers and their identity in the long term development of medieval Europe is emphasised by John Hines who asserts that “the breakdown of the Roman Imperial Order in Western Europe saw the emergence of entirely new…identities”. When considering Anglo-Saxon identity, two main concepts must be addressed; firstly the nature of the ‘Adventus Saxonum’ and the consequent impact of this upon the native Britons. Whilst there is much debate, evidence strongly supports that the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons to Britain was lengthy process which