Throughout history, literature has been a gateway to give us a better look into how society used to view the world. A worldview is developed through one's experiences: their pains, losses, joys and successes. The worldview of Anglo-Saxon England from the 8th to 11th century was melancholy and somber based off their values, fears, and beliefs. They had their own values with fame and loyalty, but also betrayal, their own fears with humiliation and loneliness, and, arguably most important, their own beliefs with God and fate in control of everything. In Anglo- Saxon England, courage and loyalty were valued (Janet, 101). A man with valor and loyalty was expected to be rewarded by their king (Janet, 103). Furthermore, above anything, everyone battled for fame because fame is the only thing that lasts. In Beowulf, Beowulf is a renowned Geatish warrior and hero (Beowulf, 153-156). His …show more content…
In The Seafarer, the speaker is torn between a longing for the sea and a longing for comfort (The Seafarer, 39-57) . While on land, the speaker wants to be at sea and while at sea, the speaker wants to be on land. This is due to the belief of having no purpose in life. In Anglo- Saxon England, it was believed that God and fate controlled everything and their own life was insignificant (The Seafarer, 68-71) . It was believed that honor and virtue had no value and the only thing left in the world was corruptness of man. In The Wanderer, it stressed the point of real men bottling up grief and not letting it disturb them; however, that is why the worldview was melancholy and somber (The Wanderer, 12-20). If a man keeps everything to himself, bottles everything up, and hides his emotions, he will become indignant and bitter. He will turn into his own worse enemy. He will push everyone out of his life and will end up alone. The belief of having no purpose in life is what sparks the view of darkness in the
Masculine Ideals in Anglo-Saxon Society The concept of a hero is prevalent through all generations because it presents a template for ethics and behavior. Beowulf is a pivotal epic told by poets throughout early european society and mirrors the manly nature of their ideal hero. The patriarchal values of the Anglo-Saxons are displayed through the epic Beowulf. The characters’ loyalty to their leaders as well as their conventional sense of masculinity indicate that the values of a society determine the values of an individual.
The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.
Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).
Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.
In Beowulf, an English epic poem that tells of the tell of the incredible warrior Beowulf, Anglo-Saxons values of the time period are displayed. Loyalty, bravery, and honesty are three of the most important values
In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero, however in today 's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior. That’s because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.
The epic poem Beowulf presents insights into the importance of boasting in Anglo-Saxon culture. On the eve of Beowulf's battle with Grendel, he has a scuffle with Unferth. Beowulf ends up using a notable skill, boasting, an important mechanism to assert prowess and triumphs. They can serve as a certification of reputation, bravery, and power, all values of Anglo-Saxon society. The exchange between Unferth and Beowulf exhibit the value of boasting in a society that values the truth.
The Anglo-Saxons were a complicated people with an even more complicated society but they are nonetheless a very interesting people’s. Beowulf swiftly implied since the beginning that “courage” is the ultimate form of “greatness”(“shmoop”). Bravery and heroism comes first in the Anglo-Saxon culture because they used it to prove how worthy they were of power and if they didn’t show it they feared that they would be punished or shunned this can be shown when I Beowulf it is stated that “ Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked.” Beowulf shows courage and bravery when he fights Grendel by ripping Grendel
The film and epic poem Beowulf may seem alike because of their similar plots and characters, but when looked at deeper, it is clear that their cultural differences set them apart. Traditionally, epic poems are lengthy stories that praise the deeds of heroic warriors whilst reflecting the brutal reality of life. They expressed cultural pride and teachings, while telling everyone that we are hopeless in the hands of fate; that all human ambition ends in death. In our modern world today, movies are made to entertain, but more importantly to sell and make a profit.
These tales give modern historians and literary scholars concrete evidence to examine and understand Anglo Saxon life. In the day of Beowulf, storytelling functioned as principles to allow Anglo Saxon people to share and sculpt their future generations. Storytelling also played a large role in influencing civilians and leaders trust in others and each other. Stories could paint ideas and portraits of certain characteristics, even as either heroic or cowardly so as to manipulate civilians. In Beowulf, we learn the title character was widely respected.
He did carry the ways of a Anglo-Saxon which were honesty, kindness,loyalty, and honor. But all of that was soon covered up with his prideful thinking. Beowulf came to the aid of the king Hrothgar and his people willingly, knowing he could solve the king’s problem. Beowulf succeed in killing the monster getting fame , glory, and riches. Although Beowulf brought along his mighty warriors he persisted that they stay and watch him defeat the monster named “Grendel’’ all alone.
After the migration of the Germanic tribes into England and Scandinavia, their established cultures began to adjudicate contrastingly. Values such as courage, bravery, and honor were important aspects that modeled the ultimate basis of this warrior society. In addition to this, a materialistic ideology revolved folklore, as well as paganism. After the missionary frays began to ventilate Christian influence over the northern part of Europe, this Anglo-Saxon culture began to stagnate. “The Seafarer” in companionship with “The Wanderer”, are clear illustration about what Christianity has brought to these people’s creeds.
In the seafarer the man says “During springtime, when flowers are blooming and plains are green, the seafarers mind prompts him to depart on a new journey.” When he says this he likes to be at sea but at the same time he likes to have people around to talk to.
During the tenth century, life for men and women was short and infant mortality rates were extremely high. Life for the Anglo-Saxons was exceptionally unsafe, as they could die at any moment as a result of disease, starvation, a small feud, a war, or capital punishment. Entire kingdoms would collapse, buildings were burned to the ground, and rulers were assassinated as a result of power struggles between neighboring groups. Humans observed the strong presence of death and destruction surrounding them, causing them to realize how brief life on Earth truly is. This prompted the Anglo-Saxons to incorporate into their lives the concept of “wyrd,” or divine fate.
Anglo-Saxon is a culture that has a lot of belief in fate, treasure is their success, and where loyalty to a leader is crucial. The excerpt identifies all these qualities of Anglo-Saxon because Beowulf says that “the woven war-garment, adorned with gold covered my breast... Fate will often spare an undoomed man, if his courage is good... But soon, quite soon, I shall show him the strength, the spirit and skill of the Geats" (470-471, 490-491, 518-520). The gold on his chest represents the treasure and success, he also mentions fate when he speaks, and his loyalty to King Hrothgar promising that he will defeat Grendel with his warriors.