Anglo-Saxon Values and Ideals in Beowulf Essay

morals and values of what is most important in society and as a person. Often, a person’s character and identity are shaped by their culture and the beliefs and lessons are instilled into their lives and personalities. Some cultures may value education and prosperity, while other might prioritize practicing religion and living simply. Nevertheless, every culture is very specific to their own ideals and values. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, many aspects of the Anglo-Saxon culture

first piece of literature translated to the English language, Beowulf is very revealing about the culture of the Anglo-Saxons. However, many of the Christian themes introduced by the Catholic priest who originally translated the work obscures their true culture. The references to God and Christian faith, often contradict the pagan religion of the Anglo-Saxons. Nevertheless, Beowulf still effectively captures the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon people, and their beliefs of loyalty to their king and comrades

composed. Within the epics “The Seafarer” and Beowulf, the time period was reflected through the social ideals, styles of writing, and stories. Social ideals are characteristic standards that are admirable and modelled. These ideals are what people of that time want to be and expected to act like. An ideal inside the text of Beowulf is loyalty to the king. During the Anglo-Saxon period, kings ruled the numerous kingdoms and were immensely respected. In Beowulf, it reads, “My Lord, the great king of the

Although viewed as ruthless savages, the Anglo-Saxon culture was not founded on the sole idea of barbaric brutality. The Anglo-Saxon beliefs were established by loyalty, generosity, and valor. As a result, the people of the Anglo-Saxon culture lived life by these ideals which created a great thirst for fame in being the best version of themselves. If one was decent at fighting, they would train to be the best fighter they could be, or if someone was intelligent they would devise complex riddles to

Beowulf: Portrait of Anglo-Saxon Society The Middle Ages in England began with the withdrawal of the Romans and the arrival of various Germanic tribes (the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes), during the mid-fifth century. These tribes, which became known as the Anglo-Saxons, were composed of people from North Germany, Denmark and northern Holland, and took control of most of Britain, except for lands such as Scotland, Wales or Cornwall (Hindley 23). They brought with them the tradition of oral poetry

4 Virtues in the Anglo Saxons In the 8th century, an epic poem of Beowulf written by an anonymous author embodies the ideal characteristics of Anglo Saxons. During the time of Anglo Saxons, Beowulf is used to convey similar qualities such as virtues, belief and traits in which the character of B Beowulf possess. For example, Beowulf exhibits Bravery, Loyalty, and strength. Beowulf’s action symbolizes him as the

In the epic poem, Beowulf, the reader can see distinct Anglo-Saxon political, economic, and religious values in the actions of the characters and the things happening around them. Wealth in the Anglo-Saxon society, as seen in Beowulf, was used as a means of reparations, rewards, and political standings. One can also tell that the Anglo-Saxons where in a state of limbo between Christian and Pagan beliefs because of the ideas expressed by the hero and his colleagues in Beowulf. The political standings

Based on oral tradition, the epic poem Beowulf was anonymously written somewhere between AD 673 and AD 830. The epic is of the Anglo-Saxon culture and exhibits their cultural values of the time. These values include the significance and perception of the mead hall, treasure, and the attributes of an ideal hero. The mead hall played an important role not only in Beowulf but in Anglo-Saxon society as well. The Anglo-Saxons used the hall as a place for upper-class citizens to socialize, warriors

The epic poem, Beowulf, is one of the oldest European epics in existence. When Beowulf was written, the writer incorporated many of the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons. Some of these ideals included loyalty, bravery, selflessness, and justice and were demonstrated in the hero. Both the characters Beowulf and Grendel represent aspects of both good and evil, Christianity and Paganism, and what occurs when they collide with one another. A characteristic of an epic poem is the concern over struggles that

Beowulf is an Old English poem in which a hero gains fame and riches through defeating monsters.Beowulf the hero, is form a clan known as the geats. In the poem he is said to be one of the bravest and strongest men on earth. Beowulf begins his journey by slaying a monster known as Grendel, that has been terrorizing the Danes. Once Grendel is killed he boasts about his brute strength and earns kinship from King Hrothgar. Beowulf then proceeded to fight in two more battles with the third one ending