Beowulf Embodies The Anglo Saxon Time

Authors tend to project their values into the works they create. The epic poem,”Beowulf,” follows the story of the great hero Beowulf, and his heroic deeds. Because it was written in the anglo saxon time period “Beowulf” contains many of the values of that time period. Beowulf embodies the anglo saxon cultural mores through his acts of heroism, pursuit of glory, and belief in fate though his words and actions.

There are many points in the poem where Beowulf has values from the anglo saxon time period. Beowulf’s most defining trait is his heroism. Many times in the poem, he performs heroic deeds or references past ones. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he (Beowulf) travelled to him because it was “[his] duty to go to go to the Danes’/ great king”
Beowulf is heroic here because he considers it his duty to destroy evil. When Beowulf goes to battle Grendel's mother, “he leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s / answer...” (Raffel 47). Beowulf fearlessly jumps into the lake as soon as he accepts Hrothgar’s plead to help them. He heroically devoted himself to helping Hrothgar. Helping Hrothgar wasn’t the only reason Beowulf traveled to him. Beowulf also came for glory. He claimed that when he goes to fight Grendel, “[his] hand / alone will fight for [him], struggle for life / Against the monster” (Raffel 38). Beowulf places this handicap upon himself because he believes it will lead to more glory. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, he emerges from the lake “he sought Hrothgar / To salute him and show Grendel’s head” (Raffel 51). Grendel’s head is brought back as a trophy to show that Beowulf really did kill Grendel. Discovering your fate is part of the glory. When Beowulf talks about fighting Grendel, he states that “...if [Grendel] wins / And if death does take me, Send the hammered / Mail of my armor to Higlac… Fate will unwind as it must” (Raffel 38). Beowulf states what should happens if he dies, as he believes fate will decide the victor of