The Anglo Saxon culture admired their warriors and kings, they valued battle and fighting. A warrior or king had to represent Anglo Saxon values, namely courage, strength, generosity, boastfulness, bravery, and honor. The Anglo Saxon’s value of honor called for a king to respect their thanes by rewarding and celebrating them. It also called for thanes to honor their kings through loyalty and fighting. Lastly, it called for warriors to respect their opponents by fighting fairly and not cheating. In Beowulf, the characters Wiglaf, Hrothgar, and Beowulf exemplify the Anglo Saxon value of honor. One example of a character in Beowulf that exemplifies the Anglo Saxon value of honor is Beowulf’s thane or noble warrior who has been given land by the king, Wiglaf. Wiglaf shows his honor close to the end of the poem when “only Wiglaf …show more content…
He exemplifies his honor in this quote by showing his respect for his opponent and making the battle fair for Grendel. An additional example of Beowulf’s honor is when his king, Hygelac dies and he is offered the throne, “Beowulf does not hurry and seize the throne, but rather supports Denmark’s rightful heir,” (Michael Stitt), Heardred, this action shows Beowulf’s respect for the throne and how he would not cheat someone out of what they deserve. Beowulf eventually comes to power and receives the throne. While he is ruling a ferocious dragon comes to his kingdom and starts to destroy it. Beowulf, “as a king should therefore act for the good of his people,” (Michael Stitt) and protect them from the dragon, even if it means losing his own life. Overall, Beowulf exemplifies the Anglo Saxon value of honor as both a king and warrior through his entire life, and in the end gives his people the most honorable sacrifice of his life to save them from the