American Values In Beowulf

Beowulf contains samples of Danish people’s values throughout the epic. This is seen in their festivals, the entrance of Beowulf and his fight with Grendel, and Grendel’s opinions. The Danish people find belief in loyalty through warriors, generosity, family, religion, and other traditional beliefs. The opposite being Grendel, the grim demon, is descended from biblical figure Cain, who killed his brother. Grendel does not take part and religion because he thinks that religion is a way for people to feel better about themselves and despises it; the hatred of it is the motivation in his killings by hearing songs of God he feels the need to ruin it. Grendel represents a malice that must be conquered to prove a hero’s bravery. Grendel, as well as religion, also hates community. Hrothgar created the Heorot, a gathering place for the town where
In the feast, whilst drinking, Beowulf is handed the cup last as to show his valor in fighting with Grendel. Stories are told of the courageousness of those fighting, sometimes with exaggeration. One of which being Unferth and Beowulf having a swimming completion. Unferth tells that he won and is the greatest of all swimmers. Beowulf then contradicts him and tells his sides of the story, that in fact he was not slower just too busy underwater slaying monsters and would have won if it were not for the monsters. The Danish people’s values are seen throughout Beowulf and include bravery, courage, and family values. Beowulf’s arrival is an example of showing that the Danish people find leaders in their bravery whilst fighting. The Danish festivals show that they honor their fighters throughout dining by telling stories and giving them the cup last. Finally, Grendel’s beliefs are different than the rest of the community. Grendel does not participate in religion, festivals, or family time. Not only does he not participate in those, he hates it and wishes that it did not