Beowulf : An Anglo Saxon Hero

Being a hero can mean many different things. A modern day hero might be someone who has a strong moral code or someone that has extraordinary powers and abilities but, looking back in time the meaning of a hero has changed slightly. During Anglo-Saxon times, being a hero meant being loyal to their lord and god, having a sense of duty, being selfless, having honor, being intelligent, and boasting. It also meant being brave and having courage, having a sense of justice, and having larger than life strength. A great example of an Anglo-Saxon hero is Beowulf from “Beowulf,” written by an unknown author. In this poem, Beowulf exemplifies the characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon hero because he was brave and courageous, he had superhuman strength, and he had a unique sense of justice.

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.

Bravery. Strength. Sense of justice. Heroes in Anglo-Saxon literature show these characteristics and more. Furthermore, Beowulf, the son of Ecgtheow and one of the strongest and bravest person known to man wanted to take down every evil thing that was around him or aggravating him that he had to step up and fight them. In the epic poem, Beowulf exemplifies the Anglo-Saxon Hero characteristics of bravery and courage, sense of justice, and strength.

Courage is certainly a trait which every hero must possess, particularly because no one wants a hero who is a coward. Thankfully, Beowulf is no coward. When Beowulf hears of Grendel’s exploits in Denmark, he travels to the “distant” land, without hesitation, to rid the Danes of that “demon…conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God”. Beowulf’s courage is displayed even more when he chooses not to fight with weapons, despite knowing

The other leading heroic trait that Beowulf possesses is loyalty. The Anglo-Saxon warriors believe in the idea of comitatus, which are the faithful and unbreakable bonds between his king and his warriors. Throughout the story, Beowulf had shown devotions to both his leader and his followers. As mentioned earlier, Beowulf easily passed all the treasure to his uncle noting that “since every benefit I have ever received I owe to you, my closest and kindest kinsman on earth." (Chapter 31).He shows great gratitude to his king by presenting all of his treasures that he had gained. He was then portrayed to be “loyal and true and loved him dearly,” (Chapter 31). Additionally, not only he is committed to his rulers, Beowulf is also loyal to his followers. As described by Wiglaf, one of his most faithful men, “Our ancient king often gave us---heroes while in hall!---helmets and mailcoats, the finest treasures he could find for his men anywhere on earth, armor like the brilliant well-wrought war-gear you are

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of an Anglo Saxon hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters many monsters and horrible beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are outstanding and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for glory which to him meant eternal life.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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