Examples Of Anglo Saxon Values In Beowulf

Beowulf, a heroic poem that recounts the tale of a mighty warrior that is the embodiment of Anglo-Saxon values, but are these values portrayed positively? The poem follows the story of Beowulf and his ultimate quest to achieve glory and honor so that he may be well remembered in the days of the future when he has passed. This lust for honor leads him to Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and a mighty dragon, all of who, fall to the wrath of Beowulf. Beowulf, being a beacon for the Anglo-Saxon values, ultimately portrays them negatively because it was these beliefs that started the killings, caused his downfall, and his sacrifice was all for nothing according to the Christian perspectives that the warriors adopted. The Danes were not completely faultless
The Anglo-Saxon warrior values led him to his untimely death especially when the people needed him most as their king. Before Beowulf died, Hrothgar warned him about his current way of life, “beware of that trap. Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom But it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low” (Beowulf 1758-1762). Beowulf was warned where his path of glory would lead him, and he followed it to the end
Beowulf accomplished this, but according to Beowulf it was all futile, “Then finally the end arrives when the body he was lent collapses and falls Prey to its death, ancestral possessions And the goods he hoarded and inherited by another who lets them go with a liberal hand” (Beowulf 1753-1757). When the Anglo-Saxons took on this Christian perspective, it began to contradict their own beliefs. The warriors can achieve all the glory they want, but at the end of the day it comes down to the fruit of your actions, not how many battles won or beast