Beowulf : An Anglo Saxon Hero

The epic poem Beowulf expresses many Anglo-Saxon ideas. The Anglo-Saxons were warrior-farmers who loved fighting. Warriors were celebrated and valued in the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf, the main character of the poem, is an example of the archetypal “hero as warrior,” which defines an Anglo-Saxon warrior. The Anglo-Saxons were always prepared for war and willing to fight for the sake of the people, just like Beowulf. Nearly god-like, Beowulf undergoes many physical and mental challenges in order to help others and showcase his heroic ways. Because Beowulf is a celebrated hero, has supernatural strength, and undying loyalty, he is the epitome of an Anglo-Saxon warrior.

To begin, a cultural truth admired by the Anglo-Saxon is courage in battle because it is a trait of a good warrior in the eyes of Anglo-Saxon people. Courage in battle is the ability to not be afraid of the enemy, be strong, and brave. Beowulf shows his above average strength and courage in battle when he is going to battle Grendel: “When it comes to battle, I count myself/ as dangerous any day as Grendel,/ … No weapons, therefore,/ for either this night: unarmed he shall face me/ if face me he dares” (Beowulf 677-685). In this quote Beowulf states and declares his abandonment of weapons, as well as his belief that he is as strong as Grendel, so he will fight him without a weapon. This shows Beowulf’s courage in battle because it displays his tremendous strength and boldness by going to fight a monster with no weapons, which demonstrates that he is not

While the actions of Beowulf may seem heroic, he obtains the opposite of Anglo-Saxon traits since he does not protect the Danes during the fight with Grendel. The Anglo-Saxon traits include bravery, strength, gumption, and selflessness; Beowulf does not exemplify these traits while waiting to attack Grendel. Beowulf felt “mighty and canny” and “was keenly watching/ for the first move the monster would make” (Heaney 736). As Beowulf waits to fight Grendel, he witnesses one of the men whom is supposed to be protecting get devoured by Grendel. Not only does he watch the murder, but stays

As the reader is introduced to the character Beowulf, it is clear that bravery is one of his strongest traits. Not only is bravery shown through Beowulf, but along with his people, the Geats, as they face Hell’s unknown. “‘ Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/And quickly commanded a boat fitted out,/Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king,/Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar,/Now when

First, Beowulf displays the anglo-saxon hero characteristic of bravery and courage throughout different points in the poem. “Proclaiming that he’d go to the famous King, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed.” (114-116) Beowulf stood up and was brave enough to go and

Beowulf is a character that exudes the qualities of an epic hero. Throughout this epic, Beowulf is seen as a hero to many and a major threat to the evils he encounters. The values of the Anglo-Saxons, who would have read and admired this poem, included loyalty, bravery, and honor. Beowulf’s character exemplifies all of these qualities to the highest degree. The values and traditions of the original composers of this story cause Beowulf’s character to be the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon epic hero.

Anglo-Saxon heroes are always extremely courageous. Beowulf shows a tremendous amount of courage in this poem. He makes the promise to fight Grendel without using any armor. He declares this by saying “my hands alone shall fight for me”.

The Anglo-saxon period lasted for about 600 years from 410 AD to 1066 AD. The term Anglo-Saxon is used to describe the Germanic people who ruled territories that are commonly know as England and Wales today. The Anglo-Saxon people based eachother off of status. The most admired people were warriors and heroes of great status. The characteristics of a hero were are much different compared to the characteristics of a hero today. Back then to be a hero you must have had strength, courage, humility and thick skin. In Beowulf the main character has all these things. In the book Beowulf is first described as someone,” Who valuable gift-gems of the Geatmen carried As peace-offering thither, that he thirty men's grapple Has in his hand, the hero-in-battle”.

In Anglo Saxon culture and literature, to be a hero was to be a warrior. The narrative epic poem, Beowulf, vastly exhibits and puts into action brilliantly the Germanic gallant code, honoring valor, strength, and devotion to warriors; cordiality, political strong suit in kings, bounteousness, ceremoniousness in women, and good reputation in all people.

Every culture of past and present has a widespread belief of how heroes should act and look like, whether they receive this ideal from the village scop or action movie franchises. In the case of the scops, Anglo-Saxon societies had a regnant idea of heroism and the characteristics defining one’s heroism. Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf provides multiple examples of Anglo-Saxon heroic ideals through the incredible hero Beowulf’s characterization as being courageous, loyal, and proud. Beowulf repeatedly acts courageously in battle, showing that this a trait of the ideal Anglo-Saxon hero. Beowulf’s arrival in Heorot is prompted by his knowledge of the monster Grendel, who had killed warriors and citizens of the town Heorot.

Fame and Glory emerges as one of the defining traits of the Anglo-Saxons, especially through the character of Beowulf.

The Anglo-Saxons had a rough go of it in the beginning, coming from the far north they were not able to grow crops in the desolate wastelands that the harsh winters created. This meant that they had to travel and search for more fertile land to survive. In these desperate times of survival some rose above all ordinary men, these were Anglo-Saxon heroes. The history of Anglo-Saxon heroism is widespread through art and literature. The characteristics that it embodies are courage, a fervent belief in heavenly glory, and a calling to adventure. These qualities can be clearly seen in the epic Beowulf and the elegy The Seafarer through their powerful leading characters. Without abiding by all of these heroic virtues none of the Anglo-saxon heroes

Back in the times of the Anglo-Saxons, being a hero was considered to be someone who would go far beyond what anyone else would do, to protect others. The poem of Beowulf, written in the Anglo-Saxon times by an anonymous author, is an excellent example of an Anglo-Saxon hero. This is because Beowulf sailed across the seas, in order to kill a monster who had hunted and preyed upon another kingdom, and had no other reason to do so except that they were in need of help. He also shows amazing strength,as well as bravery, by fighting, and defeating Grendel with nothing but his own hands. Beowulf is a perfect example of Anglo-Saxon poetry, because he has every characteristic that an Anglo-Saxon hero would be.

This epic poem is about legend name Beowulf who seeks out for fame in his lands to destroy the all mighty Grindel. He soon face many other challenges as many heroes have to do. Beowulf has many Anglo-Saxon Heroic characteristic similarities such as Bravery and Strength. The biggest characteristic that he has is Sense of duty and honor.

Throughout the era of the Anglo-Saxons, there was one main code which provided a way of living for the people known as the warriors’ code. Deemed as fighting or die trying. In this society, heroes were only the bravest and most superior warriors who embodied strength, intelligence, and courage. In this era of the Anglo-Saxons, Beowulf exemplified these three characteristics through his numerous encounters. These included confrontations with creatures such as Grendel and an all mighty dragon. Although Beowulf participated in various battles, some were more heroic than others such as his fight with Grendel compared to the fight with Grendel’s mother. In Beowulf’s battle against Grendel Beowulf was more heroic than during his measly encounter