How Does Beowulf Reflect Anglo Saxon Values

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Recommended: Anglo Saxon Early Culture

The Anglo-Saxon period was a difficult time for anyone involved. There was an onset of impending wars, harsh winters, ignorance, mindless violence, and many other things that made this generally not a fun time for anyone. To pass the time and lighten the mood, people told epic poems, which are stories in which a hero embarked on a tough adventure. Many of these epic poems reflected Anglo-Saxon life, culture, and values. Beowulf is the main character of the poem entitled Beowulf. In this story, the Danish people are having trouble with this particular gremlin dubbed “Grendel” who is wreaking havoc on the king’s men while they sleep in the mead hall after partying. Beowulf gathers 14 of his best men, described as “the mightiest men [Beowulf] could find, / The bravest and best of the Geats" (20-21) and sets …show more content…

Furthermore, another Christian element that is constantly represented in the poem is the belief of fate, or the belief that whatever happens to you is out of your control. When Beowulf fought the dragon in Beowulf’s Last Battle, he says this: "when [the dragon] comes to me / I mean to stand, not run from his shooting / Flames, stand till fate decides / Which of us wins." (619-622). During all of the battles, Beowulf says something retaining to how fate will decide who will win the battle. Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s men constantly support him and are ready to back him up if fate does indeed decide to take his life. Loyalty is a value that the Anglo-Saxon culture believes greatly in, so when Beowulf’s men abandon him after the dragon defeats him, Wiglaf gives them a long speech on how they should be ashamed for running, seeing as Beowulf has always had their back, so that they should, in return, have

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