ipl-logo

Examples Of Anglo Saxon's Code In Beowulf

629 Words3 Pages

In the Anglo-Saxons era everybody had to follow a specific code. They had to be loyal, friendship, generosity, and courage. The Anglo-Saxons Code of Conduct was the code that had to be followed by every man and woman. If the code was violated, punishment would be the lowering of one’s reputation, or even death. In the epic Beowulf there were many characters who follow the code, and many who broke the code. Beowulf was one of the few who followed the code. King Hrothgar, was one of the many that broke the code.
Beowulf, prince of the Geats, is the main character in the epic Beowulf. He lived his life following the code, and didn’t care if he died with honor. Beowulf heard the stories of a monster terrorizing the land of the Danes and set sea on a quest (Beowulf 109-116). He set of from his home land to defeat something that had nothing to do with him or his people. The Prince showed courage and generosity by going to kill a viscous monster that was said to be unbeatable. Beowulf is a prime example of displaying the laws of the Anglo-Saxons Code of Conduct.
Wulfgar showed loyalty to his king when everybody else deserted him. When Beowulf and his 14 men showed up on the shores of Hrothgar, Wulfgar told him and his men to leave there weapons on the ship. That they would go as they are, and meet the king (Beowulf 127-133). Wulfgar didn’t know if Beowulf …show more content…

When Grendel snuck into Herot while everyone was sleeping, he slaughtered thirty men in their sleep (Beowulf 36-40). When Hrothgar woke the next day, he seen the bloody scene, and responded with tears of sorrow. Instead of swearing revenge, and going to kill Grendel his self, he went into hiding, crying every night about his loss (Beowulf 44-59). Being a King, Hrothgar broke the Code of Conduct by not displaying courage, by showing his people that he was weak. He showed weakness in a time to when his people needed him the

Show More
Related
1250 Words | 5 Pages

The story tells of many characters who faced the same circumstances as Beowulf, yet failed to respond in a similar and valiant effort, like Beowulf. For example, when facing the dragon nearly all of his hand picked soldiers coward in fear. Beowulf then showed humility by turning down his first offer to be king. When Hrothgar died, he offered Beowulf the throne; however, he refused, which allowed the rightful heir, Hrothgar’s son to be placed into power. This decision exemplifies the value he placed on ethics and honor.

Read More
490 Words | 2 Pages

The definition of a true hero is very subjective as people have their own opinions on what makes someone a hero. Some people might consider someone who does the right thing a hero, for some it may be people who fight for their country. The characteristics of a hero might vary, but in the epic “Beowulf,” Beowulf is sought out to be the hero because of three main traits; his noble cause, code of honor, and his strength and courage. Each of these traits makes up the hero he is portrayed to be. One of the first qualities described in the epic is the act of a noble cause.

Read More
232 Words | 1 Pages

However, Beowulf’s intentions on defending the Danes are deeper than his own reputation; in fact the heroic Geat was devoted to the king, because of an old past. Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father had killed the leader of the Wulfings tribe

Read More
726 Words | 3 Pages

Through this major societal push to be remembered and hold a legacy, the Anglo-Saxons valued warriors for the loyalty, strength, and courage they pursued. These values are important to Anglo-Saxon culture and to its literature. Beowulf, both the epic and the character, represents these values of loyalty, strength, and courage time and time as seen by the melded perspective of Anglo-Saxons and the Christian scribes in this piece of literature. Loyalty to the King and the warriors is seen as a sign of immortalizing character throughout the Anglo-Saxon history. This is depicted by

Read More
650 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
1052 Words | 5 Pages

New Beowulf Essay Anglo-Saxons, although human, lived in a culture where war and fame were prized over democracy and peace. In the epic Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, many of these values are shown and they drive the Anglo-Saxons in their short existences on Earth. Beowulf follows the story of a young Geat warrior who comes to help the Danes defeat their archenemy Grendel. After he bests Grendel and his mother he becomes king, eventually dying as king protecting his homeland from a dragon.

Read More
1088 Words | 5 Pages

Both Beowulf and Redcrosse Knight epitomize the ideal saint in two separate periods, The Middle Age and The Early Modern Period. The tale of Beowulf demonstrates the impact of the spread of Christianity in the early Danish paganistic culture that values courageous deeds and boldness most importantly else. Beowulf's bravery is investigated in three separate clashes, those with Grendel, Grendel's mom, and the ocean creature. Redcrosse Knight, the hero of "The Faerie Queen," remains for the ethicalness of Holiness however he is the individual Christian battling against malevolence. Quite a bit of Beowulf is committed to verbalizing and showing the gallant code, which values quality, boldness, and devotion in fighters, neighborliness, liberality, political ability, and great notoriety in all individuals.

Read More
532 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good

Read More
844 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf’s actions reflect that Anglo-Saxon’s valued being honorable

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

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

Read More
539 Words | 3 Pages

In his early life, Beowulf is a strong warrior who, like Beow, gains the trust of his people and a loyal following of thanes. He simultaneously shows loyalty to his king, Hygelac, which exemplifies the Anglo-Saxon idea of comitatus, the Germanic code of loyalty to ones king. Beowulf is the perfect representation of courage, loyalty, and strength, and is therefore considered to be “the mightiest man on earth.” (197) The Danes look at Beowulf with great admiration, and observe that: “nowhere . . . was there anyone better / to raise a shield or to rule a kingdom.”

Read More
821 Words | 4 Pages

Boasting and self-possession were another common custom of the Anglo-Saxons. (“Anglo-Saxon Warfare Group”). Beowulf represents a quintessential Anglo-Saxon hero through his confident poise, his willingness for self-sacrifice, and his tenacity through near-impossible odds. Beowulf possessed the trait of self-assurance, almost to the point of hubris. Beowulf quickly rose through the ranks and was entrusted by King Hrothgar simply by asserting himself as the leader and savior of the Danes.

Read More
805 Words | 4 Pages

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).

Read More
1033 Words | 5 Pages

The epic poem Beowulf is a classic tale of good versus evil. Good, as shown in the story, is any action that fights evil and defends the community and the people of it. The evil intent of Grendel, the story’s antagonist and cannibalistic murderer, who is depicted as a “fiend out of hell” (99), is strongly countered by the heroic actions of the stories main protagonist, Beowulf. The noble King Hrothgar is a role model for young Beowulf at the beginning of the epic, displaying acts of charity and wisdom throughout his life.

Read More
1151 Words | 5 Pages

In particular, Beowulf’s action of traveling to the land of the Danes to save them from Grendel and his mother is a noble act. However, the motive of this decision is fueled by the hero’s desire for greed, fame, and power. After returning from his quest, Beowulf informs his king, Hygelac, “‘Thus the king acted with due custom. I was paid and recompensed completely, given full measure and the freedom to choose from Hrothgar's treasures by Hrothgar himself’” (Heaney 2144-2149).

Read More

More about Examples Of Anglo Saxon's Code In Beowulf

Related Topics

Open Document