The Anglo Saxon Culture In Beowulf

The Dark Ages was a time of immense violence and corruption, but it is also a time that very little is known. It started around the time of the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D During these five hundred years, very little information was written down which makes it hard for historians to conclude anything about this time period. However, the few pieces of literature that made it out of the Dark Ages provide a more insightful understanding as to what this murky gap in history was really like one of these pieces is the heroic epic of 'Beowulf'.

Throughout 'Beowulf' the reader is given a more in-depth view into what life was like back then, especially life for the Anglo-Saxons. Even though it is a work of fiction, the role of women, warriors, and mead halls in Anglo-Saxon culture is reflected in 'Beowulf' through Wealhtheow, Beowulf, and Heorot.

They believed a hero should be a keeper of his promises, be boastful and produce great physical strength.

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Also, Beowulf was an outstanding fighter and loyal to everyone he met. Even when Beowulf knows fate is against him and he is going to die, he continues to keep fighting “No prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.” (p. 98). Beowulf’s boastful self-confidence, his overpowering strength, and his victories in battle make him a classic legendary hero and a model for the Anglo Saxon culture. A very important element in the society of the Anglo Saxons was the mead hall, an essential meeting place for dinners, storytelling, and the party for victories.

It symbolizes security, fellowship, and all that is good in the world. It was called Herot serving as a palace for King Hrothgar. This is where Beowulf dismantles Grendel in an epic battle. Known as a fearful monster, Beowulf knew that defeating it would bring him a great fortune by saving the people who were being tormented. During this time, all warriors had a shield and weapons for example “Space was a single-bladed knife that was carried on the belt” p. 112). As a great and valiant warrior, Beowulf also believed in fair fights. Knowing that Grendel would be fighting unarmed, Beowulf wanted to have a fair fight. He believed that no one was greater than anyone else, he showed great respect even to his enemy by fighting one on one. This didn’t only show fairness but it represented his courage because he knew well that the same monster that he was going to fight, single-handed and without armor or weapon, had killed hundreds before him. Beowulf’s bravery was immense, he was not scared to do anything. Even in his last battle, all odds stacked against him, Beowulf still had the courage to fight a dragon when all of his men had left him to stand alone. He had the spirits to put his life in danger to save others. In a way of seeing this in a man versus rough situation, Beowulf is a human filled with good while his foe was evil nature. They are complete opposites because he is a great man with only good intentions while his enemies were the bane of all man. Beowulf's pureness is shown in battle by removing all forms of protection, his armor, and his weapons to fight evils. By defeating Grendel, Beowulf shows that humans are capable of beating all forms of evil. The only thing that is needed is the will to overcome anything. He also had a great belief in fate.

Anglo Saxons valued religion very highly. There is much controversy over Beowulf in dealing with pagan and Christian beliefs because historians believe both were integrated through Christianity. Religion was the center of people’s lives during that time and is shown in Beowulf calling God “the almighty the maker of the earth” (p.118). When Beowulf went out to fight various amount of enemies, he believed that his outcome was already decided and there is nothing that can change it, not even for himself if he wanted. In the same way, he trusts that the god was also protecting and helping him. If God decided that its time for the death of him, then so be it. A way that Beowulf demonstrated his beliefs in fate is when he fought Grendel’s mother. Just when he seemed lost, Beowulf found a weapon which he believes a gift from God, a sign that God was watching over and supporting him. Using this, he killed Grendel’s mother just as fate wants him to do. Even at his end, He knew that he could not control the outcome of fate. As he fought the dragon, he knew he would die, everything was out of his hand.

The Anglo Saxon express their cultures through wonderful literature such as Beowulf, which is a record of heroic deeds. The poem describes the main character, Beowulf as 'the strongest of the Geats – greater and stronger than anyone in this world' (p.90). It was not enough that Beowulf should display unequaled strength and courage in his victories over monsters but the value of these exploits must be enhanced by Beowulf’s deep and emotionally justified concern for those he fought. The physical power of Beowulf does not give him the moral route and the title epic hero. The loyalty and unselfishness that Beowulf show makes him a truly unique Anglo-Saxon hero and the great epic of Beowulf will never be forgotten because there is no greater idol than Beowulf during that time.