Beowulf Essay

Beowulf is a long narrative poem that features an epic hero named Beowulf. It reflects the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf adheres to the Anglo-Saxon values which are bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship.

Beowulf had great hopes to return the favor to Hrothgar for helping his father during a deadly feud. He wants to enhance his reputation. Beowulf does this by showing bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship. He adheres to the Anglo-Saxon values and is able to accomplish this. Beowulf is mostly concerned with ethics.

Bravery is a very important value in the Anglo-Saxon culture and history. Beowulf shows many examples that this value is very important to him. When Unferth insulted Beowulf about a swimming contest when he was a boy and lost he told him that he was no math for Grendel. He put Unferth in his place when he won and had slain nine monsters. When the Geats tried to get him he won the battle and ripped Grendels claw before the great hall is destroyed. Also when the dragon terrorized the countryside Beowulf insisted on taking the dragon alone. Wiglat and Beowulf succeeded in killing the dragon. All these things show how Beowulf was a brave person that lived up to his values.

Loyalty is another important value in the Anglo-Saxon society. Beowulf showed his loyalty in many ways. The first time when he was a young warrior in Geetland he came to the Seyolings aid with fourteen of his finest mean. He wanted to help Hrothgar who helped his father. He also wanted to bring treasure to his king Hygetac. Loyalty was also shown in the poem when he was so loyal to Beowulf. When most of the men fled he was a steadfast follower. Wiglat helped him defeat the Dragon. Wiglaf was committed to Beowulf. Loyalty was an important Anglo-Saxon value that was shown by Beowulf and Wiglaf.

Beowulf was also a very generous person which was another very important value in his Anglo-Saxon culture. Instead of taking the treasure