Comparing Beowulf And Anglo-Saxon Culture

Anglo-Saxons were a group of conquerors from Germany who invaded England during the 400s. There, they established a new cultural and religious lifestyle that remained part of England for centuries. The epic Beowulf highlights the warrior aspect of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. Although Anglo-Saxons were great warriors, they were also farmers and shepherds who contributed to the colonization of England. The original Anglo-Saxon belief was Wyrd, or the belief in fate. This later evolved into Christianity, or the belief in God. The poem Beowulf reflects Anglo-Saxon culture by utilizing four main elements: God, fate, loyalty, and fame. The poem contains a mixture of the concepts of Wyrd and Christianity. This means that “there is a plan and meaning

Yet I survived the sea, smashed / [t]he monsters; hot jaws, swam home from my journey” (ll. 575-79).

Beowulf could have died in that sea, but fate intervened. Beowulf is the descendant of Hrethel, a great king, and Edgetho, a great warrior. In Anglo-Saxon culture, they believed that a child would grow up to be just like their father. Since Beowulf comes from a line of great men, he was destined be great as well. He went on to fight a mighty monster, Grendel, who had terrorized Herot and the Danes for twelve years. The night Beowulf plans of fighting Grendel when he comes to attack the mead hall, Beowulf says to Hrothgar,

“if death does take me, send the hammered / [m]ail of my armor to Higlac, return

/ [t]he inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he / [f]rom Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must” (ll. 452-55).

This demonstrates Beowulf’s will to fight regardless of the outcome, as well as his loyalty to the Geats. Loyalty is one of the highest values of Anglo-Saxon culture; “It is a bond that holds Anglo-Saxon society together” (Beowulf: Anonymous 1000 33). Through a system called Comitatus, thanes protect their king with their life in exchange for riches. If a king does not reward his thanes, they can kill him without being charged with treason. Hermod, a former Danish king, was selfish and did not honor comitatus. He

After defeating monsters, warriors “wanted glory, the immortality of good fame, and human memory reaching across time and space … [and were] eager to receive gifts of fine weapons, armor, and jewelry” (Beowulf: Anonymous 1000 32). After defeating Grendel and Grendel’s mother, the Danes rewarded Beowulf with many treasures and riches. This constant reward is what Beowulf strived for, as any warrior of this time would. Even during his final battle, defeating the dragon, on the edge of death, Beowulf wanted the reward. After the battle, Beowulf told the only one of his soldiers who remained loyal to him in battle,