Different cultures sustain various values, some of which are not even comparable with one another. Societies have myriad ways of expressing this, yet their cultural productions are some of the richest ways of understanding how they conceived the world. In this sense, the epic poem Beowulf is one of the greatest epic poems that have ever existed. This is especially true and evident in that, even though Beowulf was not actually Anglo-Saxon, he does represent the ideals of this people. As such, one can see that bravery was one of the most extraordinary characteristics that this people had as a great value. This is especially true when one regards the ending, and how it becomes very shocking to modern readers, who are used to a typical and they lived happily ever after ending. Another important aspect to take into account is Beowulf’s loyalty, which can be seen in his relationship to both the king and his own word, two marks of a great man in ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Finally, as in contemporary times, he is also a hero because he achieves a feat that is very valuable for himself and others, basically saving a whole population from a monster. As such, one can see that Beowulf embodies the Anglo-Saxon hero, something that can clearly be seen through the characteristics of bravery, loyalty and obtaining a great achievement that is helpful for all.
Furthermore, this main character is constantly loyal, another important characteristic. Beowulf’s loyalty can be seen in the way that he attempts to uphold the king. This is obvious when he states, “I brought the end of Edgetho’s Quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s Furrows to the Wulfings; your father swore He’d keep that peace” (204-207), demonstrating his loyalty to King Hrothgar, bringing peace through kindness, ending the feud that was present with the hero’s father. In fact, loyalty to one’s father seems to be one of the greatest virtues of this culture, as they believe that this will allow others to be loyal to him as well. “And a young prince must be prudent like that, giving freely while his father lives so that afterwards in age when fighting starts steadfast companions will stand by him and hold the line” (20-24).Finally, this was a virtue that was so great that people would rather die than be ashamed by not being loyal: “A warrior will sooner/die than live a life of shame" (2890-1). As one can see, Beowulf displayed loyalty to both the king and his father, constantly keeping his word, in line with an Anglo-Saxon heroic ideal.
Finally, as in present times, it is important that Beowulf committed important deeds. This is mainly seen through the many monsters that he fights, saving numerous amounts of people. Throughout the story, one can see Grendel portrayed as evil personified: “So times were pleasant for the people there until finally one, a fiend out of hell, began to work his evil in the world” (99-101). Therefore, by defeating him, he killed evil itself. In fact, Beowulf was the only person that could actually perform this task. It is only “when help was needed” (116) that he actually went to Hrothgar in order to fight the evil that was presented there. This leads him to immortality, something that was very important for this group of people. Another great feat is also present when he states “I have wrested the hilt from the enemies' hand, avenged the evil done to the Danes; it is what was due" (1668-1670). He not only fights bad monsters, but also resets the good and order in the world. As such, the extraordinary feats that Beowulf did and the lives that he saved were also part of his heroism.
In conclusion, by examining Beowulf and the eponymous hero’s actions, one can see that bravery, loyalty and great achievements are three characteristics that were very important and valuable for Anglo-Saxons. The first of these characteristics is obvious in the way that Beowulf persistently moves forward, even in the face of clear and present danger; especially astonishing for contemporary readers is the ending, in which one can see that Beowulf truly did not fear death, something that was very heroic for the Anglo-Saxon community. Furthermore, one can see Beowulf’s loyalty in the way that he treats the king and keeps his word, something that one could consider terribly lacking in present times. Finally, something that still is relevant today, people believed that a hero was made through great achievements, as can be seen in Beowulf through his killing of Grendel. Thus, it is clear to see that Beowulf embodied the characteristics that made a hero in Anglo-Saxon culture. It is astonishing to see how a detailed analysis of an important cultural text allows contemporary readers to understand the Anglo-Saxon society, so distant in time and space. The place that the Anglo-Saxon gave to the hero is clearly represented in this tale, one of the greatest historical artifacts that subsist to this day. It makes the reader wonder what artifacts people millennia after the present day will use in order to analyze and understand contemporary society.
Reference List
Heaney, Seamus, trans. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000.
