Beowulf: The Anglo-Saxon Hero

In the Anglo-Saxon culture, no desire for an afterlife was offered; however, warriors could be granted immortality through poems or songs which were told by bards to the King. The only story to survive from the Anglo-Saxon culture is the epic poem Beowulf. According to Anglo-Saxon society, a definition which is still valid today, is that a hero is generally defined by certain qualities: one who is recognized for inspiring everyone or simply for saving the lives of others. Heroes inspire because when their limits are tested, they respond in remarkable ways. They go above and beyond because they know they can protect the ones that surround them. For example, in Beowulf, Beowulf is the Anglo-Saxon hero because he embodied bravery, honor, strength,