Nicolette Duffield Mrs. Brooks English 7/8 CP 2 September 2014 The Values of Anglo-Saxon Society By looking at the epic poem, “Beowulf”, individuals can perceive the values revealed within the poem are reputation and loyalty. This is important because it gives us a demonstration of how these morals expressed in “Beowulf” mirror those of the Anglo-Saxon society. First and foremost, one of the most important values of the Anglo- Saxon society is one’s reputation; which, in other words, means how famous they are in the eyes of others and how greatly they are glorified. For example, during the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf was struggling in trying to defeat her as she clawed at him, “But Beowulf/ Longed only for fame, …show more content…
The first example of this loyalty comes from Beowulf when he is deciding to fight Grendel. To show his loyalty to his society the poem explains, “ That mighty protector of men/ Meant to hold monster till its life/ Leaped out, knowing the fiend was no use/ To anyone in Denmark” (“Beowulf” 313-316). This quote demonstrates the idea that Beowulf expresses his loyalty to his citizens, through his endless protection over them. It shows that Beowulf cares about the well being of the people of his society and would do anything to protect each and everyone of them, especially when Grendel begins killing many of them through his night attacks. A second example of loyalty in the poem is when Wiglaf notices Beowulf struggling in the battle between the dragon and himself, and he decides to help him fight. The poem describes, “ Watching Beowulf, he could see/ How his king was suffering, burning. Remembering/ Everything his lord and cousin had given him, / Armor and gold and the great estates Wexstan’s family enjoyed, Wiglaf’s/ Mind was made up; he raised his yellow/ Shield and drew his sword…” (“ Beowulf” 699-705). This quote illustrates how loyal the Geats are to Beowulf and how they would do anything for him, because he has gone to extreme measures to aid and protect them. This also exemplifies the idea that loyalty means more than following a person, instead it means that you are willing to do anything for them and even willing to give up your life in place of theirs. The last example of loyalty expressed in the poem “Beowulf” is after his death when all of society is mourning over their lose of a genuine leader. The poem depicts, “ And so Beowulf’s followers/ Rode, mourning their beloved leader, / Crying that no better king had ever/ Lived, no prince so mild, no man/ So open to his people, so deserving of praise” (“Beowulf” 893-897). From this quote one can understand