Beowulf

The heroic epic, Beowulf, is the greatest and longest lasting Anglo- Saxon poem known to man. It is thought, though it has not been confirmed, that Beowulf was composed as a whole around Eighth century AD. The author, still to this day, remains unknown, and the idea remains that perhaps the “author” of this poem was no more than an editor, or collector of others poems from over the centuries. After reading the poem it becomes abundantly clear how closely the historic epic captures the ideas, morals, and opinions of the Anglo-Saxon culture at the time. The poem Beowulf, by an unknown author, highlights the ideas of masculinity, glory, and loyalty by articulating the four cultural characteristics throughout the heroic epic. All of these characteristics displayed in Beowulf would be very much admired by the Anglo-Saxons. However you look at it you will be able to see that Beowulf is the creation of one extremely talented poet.

Beowulf is shown to be the strongest above all of the others.  The most obvious characteristic of this transitional culture portrayed in Beowulf highlighted by imagery in the heroic epic is the masculinity that enabled the strong to survive. Beowulf was “the strongest of the Geats” and also “greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”. Beowulf could slay the greatest monster of all, Grendel, and basically is the embodiment of masculinity. He displayed that he was very resourceful, as well as, the other traits listed.  He shows how intelligent he can be when he was fighting Grendels mother and he became weary and began stumbling.  In the middle of the battle, Beowulf almost dies if it were not for his woven mail shirt he wore over his chest. Beowulf ends up defeating Grendel’s mother and shows how masculine he is by coming back from almost losing the battle to winning it with the heavy sword. Beowulf is characterized as a fearless warrior with physical strength and a resourceful leader which are all, basically, what being masculine means.  These characteristics were very much admired by the Anglo-Saxon culture. By utilizing those aspects of Anglo- Saxon culture the unknown author also uses the women of the story to illustrate the idea of masculinity. For example, the queen greets Beowulf and his men serving them at the banquet, “...Hrothgarth’s gold-ringed queen, greeted/ The warriors; a nobel woman wo knew/ What was right, she raised a flowing cup/ To Hrothgar first, holding it high.” (ll. 334 -337), and even serving them. Beowulf soared high above the idea of massive physical strength that was very much envied by the Anglo-Saxon culture, as well as the idea of glory and loyalty.

In Like Fashion, another characteristic articulated throughout Beowulf is the glory that ruled peoples lives during this time period. Beowulf, the story's hero, is the embodiment of what every Anglo-Saxon strove to become in their lifetime. Grendel is constantly angry, afraid and unsure of himself; while Beowulf is fearless and loyal to his king. The moment Grendel realizes that there is someone just as strong as him, he tries to run away, “. . . Grendel's one thought was to run / From Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there:” (ll. 437-438), but it is too late. Just like when the average bully meets his match, he runs in fear of not being able to win. Though Grendel tries to defend his own glory by challenging Beowulf to a swimming contest, but he does not have the nerve to stand up to Beowulf and therefore dies. That may seem a bit ironic, because the exact opposite of those traits mentioned and found in Grendel are manifested in the character of Beowulf. Beowulf is easily able to defeat Grendel once Grendel has lost all hope of winning, “. . . remembered his final / Boast and, standing erect, stopped / The monster's flight. . .” (ll. 440-443). Beowulf