Beowulf: The Presence Of Anglo-saxon Culture

Many people wouldn’t be able to answer you if you asked them what an epic was. They couldn’t give you any examples or explain it in the slightest. But an epic has many characteristics and it’s easy to still find these characteristics in literature today and movies.A great example of an epic poem is the poem written by a 8th century Anglo-Saxon poet which is called “Beowulf” which tells of the great fight of its title character Beowulf.

Beowulf fits perfectly into many of the characteristics of what an epic should have. An epic is a long narrative poem which tells the heroic deeds of a character who has unmatched bravery and courage. As we get into the story of Beowulf you will see how the story is a perfect example of an epic.

The story of Beowulf starts off in Denmark where King Hrogthar’s extravagant dining hall has been terrorized nightly for 12 years by a demon named Grendel who devours some of Hrothgar's warriors nightly.

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Beowulf is a young prince from Southern Sweden who comes with a small group of soldiers to fight off the demons. Beowulf then continues to defeat Grendel and his demon mother. Everyone rejoices with the defeat of the terrorizers and congratulate Beowulf’s outstanding courage and strength. Later on in life Beowulf becomes king in his nation and has a peaceful rule for 50 years. But the uprising of a fire breathing dragon calls Beowulf back into action. The fight is long, painful, and terrible for Beowulf but he fights on.

He defeats the dragon but it is mortally wounded and dies. His life is celebrated with a lavish funeral where the epic ends.

The ways Beowulf fits into the hero characteristics of an epic is that for starters he is a prince. One of the many characteristics of a hero is that they are a king, prince, or nobleman of some sort. Secondly he vastly travels within the story from his country to the mead hall of King Hrogthar’s in Denmark. Thirdly heroes battle supernatural foes like the Cyclops in the Odyssey. Beowulf battled not one but two demons. There are also other qualities like how he became a cultural legend and fought for the sake of others rather than glory.

The context Beowulf’s story held in an Anglo Saxon society is significant. Not only did Beowulf show heroic qualities shown in epics but also ones included in the Anglo Saxon heroic code. These were collective values of the Anglo Saxon period in English history. The society the poem depicts is one where this is a warrior king and his noble men who were expected to defend the king even at the risk of their own lives. In return for this the king will be generous. Some more Anglo Saxon values shown by Beowulf are bravery, truth, honor, loyalty, and duty. Beowulf showed bravery by fighting Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and even in old age the dragon. No matter how big or strong the foe was Beowulf would not back down. Anglo Saxons heavily valued truth and this is depicted in the story. Anglo Saxons were known to boast and brag but no matter what, whatever they said had to be true. Whatever they boasted about had to be backed up. Beowulf bragged like when he told of the swimming match between his childhood friend but the entire story was true. Another value that was shown was honor which was everything to them.  

Works cited

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