Anglo-Saxon Values In Beowulf
Values in Beowulf Heroes are a major character in many stories told today such as Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and many more. But not everyone knows that heroes, with their recognizable traits and values, have been the main characters in stories dating all the way back to 700 A.D.. In the epic Beowulf, The main character has the ideal values of an epic hero, and they are expressed throughout the battles taken place between himself and his enemies. Beowulf illustrates the Anglo-Saxon values of strength, courage, and willingness to engage in battle throughout the story.
Beowulf, known as the “the strongest of the Geats–greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in the world–”(110-111) had the Anglo-Saxon value of strength. His strength was illustrated
throughout the story, and aided him in his three major battles against Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. When Beowulf first fought Grendel he was able to bend back the monster claws, leading Grendel to the realization that “nowhere on Earth had he met a man whose hands were harder”(433-434). Beowulf's strength continued to aid him as he fought Grendel’s mother and his sword became useless making him have to “use his hands, the strength in his fingers”(609-610). Quickly, he “doubled his strength”(614) and defeated the mighty water witch. Many years later when Beowulf returned for his last battle, his strength was still with him, although fate was not. The ideal value of strength was portrayed in Beowulf as the epic progressed.
Beowulf, the mighty protector of man, also held the value of courage as he fought to defend his people against his enemies. Beowulf’s courage was first shown when he arrived to defeat Grendel, and carried on to his battle with Grendel’s mother when “he leaped into the lake, [not waiting] for anyone’s answer”(570), to invade her home and fight for revenge. Beowulf was even courageous in his final battle against the dragon, saying “when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decided which of us wins”(674-677). As Beowulf strode towards the dragon, he again showed courage as it was known that “no coward could have walked there”(691). The Anglo-Saxon value of courage is deeply displayed in Beowulf as he battles to protect others.
Beowulf also possessed the Anglo-Saxon value of willingness to engage in battle. When Beowulf first heard of the happenings at Herot Hall and the monster Grendel, he decided he “would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed”(115-116). Beowulf was always prepared for and willing to fight, so when he was asked by Hrothgar to “save us, once more”(565-567), he did, defeating Grendel’s mother. Even when Beowulf was struggling or at a disadvantage, he always “leaped back into battle”(606-607) and continued his fight. Beowulf's willingness to fight eventually led him to a dragon, where he fought his last battle. Beowulf's ideal value of willingness to fight in battle was visible throughout the epic.
Throughout the different battles and events experienced by Beowulf, his three main ideal values stuck with him. As he fought hard to protect his people from his enemies his values greatly aided him, and even in his death at his final battle, he continued to express his values of strength, courage, and willingness to fight in battle.
Beowulf, known as the “the strongest of the Geats–greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in the world–”(110-111) had the Anglo-Saxon value of strength. His strength was illustrated
throughout the story, and aided him in his three major battles against Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. When Beowulf first fought Grendel he was able to bend back the monster claws, leading Grendel to the realization that “nowhere on Earth had he met a man whose hands were harder”(433-434). Beowulf's strength continued to aid him as he fought Grendel’s mother and his sword became useless making him have to “use his hands, the strength in his fingers”(609-610). Quickly, he “doubled his strength”(614) and defeated the mighty water witch. Many years later when Beowulf returned for his last battle, his strength was still with him, although fate was not. The ideal value of strength was portrayed in Beowulf as the epic progressed.
Beowulf, the mighty protector of man, also held the value of courage as he fought to defend his people against his enemies. Beowulf’s courage was first shown when he arrived to defeat Grendel, and carried on to his battle with Grendel’s mother when “he leaped into the lake, [not waiting] for anyone’s answer”(570), to invade her home and fight for revenge. Beowulf was even courageous in his final battle against the dragon, saying “when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decided which of us wins”(674-677). As Beowulf strode towards the dragon, he again showed courage as it was known that “no coward could have walked there”(691). The Anglo-Saxon value of courage is deeply displayed in Beowulf as he battles to protect others.
Beowulf also possessed the Anglo-Saxon value of willingness to engage in battle. When Beowulf first heard of the happenings at Herot Hall and the monster Grendel, he decided he “would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed”(115-116). Beowulf was always prepared for and willing to fight, so when he was asked by Hrothgar to “save us, once more”(565-567), he did, defeating Grendel’s mother. Even when Beowulf was struggling or at a disadvantage, he always “leaped back into battle”(606-607) and continued his fight. Beowulf's willingness to fight eventually led him to a dragon, where he fought his last battle. Beowulf's ideal value of willingness to fight in battle was visible throughout the epic.
Throughout the different battles and events experienced by Beowulf, his three main ideal values stuck with him. As he fought hard to protect his people from his enemies his values greatly aided him, and even in his death at his final battle, he continued to express his values of strength, courage, and willingness to fight in battle.