Beowulf Essay

The epic, Beowulf, has a setting of around 400 A.D. which was before the establishment of Anglo-Saxon civilization. Beginning in 449 A.D. after England’s first invasion of Germanic tribes, the Anglo-Saxon period was a time of cultural customs and beliefs. The Anglo-Saxons were Pagans, or practiced a polytheistic religion, until Pope Gregory sent Augustine to convert them to Catholicism. They had a democratic government with an elected chief who was typically the strongest warrior in the tribe. The Anglo-Saxon society based their lives around five main concepts: loyalty, personal indebtness, fame, fate, and heroism. Beowulf reflects these ideals and enables the reader to gain more knowledge about the tribes by appreciating man’s heroic characteristics but still acknowledging their mortality. Although Beowulf lacks important qualities, such as humility, he is an epic hero due to his capability to perform
314) and a strong leader. Besides destroying multiple monsters, he risked his life for the sake of society. Following the battles with Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf became the king of Geatland and had ruled fifty peaceful years until a fire-breathing dragon began terrorizing his people. As he takes on the challenge of fighting the dragon, Beowulf states that “[he has] never known fear… [and he] will fight again” (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 2-4) to protect the Geats. Beowulf saves his country by losing his life to the dragon; he put his life on the line to save the lives of others. During Beowulf’s reign as king, Geatland had no conflict or confrontations with surrounding countries: “For fifty winters: no neighboring people / Have tried to threaten the Geats, sent soldiers / Against us or talked of terror” (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 140-142). Beowulf’s leadership skills caused any opposing countries to be intimidated by him and not attempt to challenge his