The story of Beowulf is one of the oldest surviving long poems in Old English. It was recorded over a thousand years ago, and before that, it was passed down orally for generations. Consequently, the true author of this epic poem is unknown, but luckily that is only a small piece of history lost about this piece. It still educates us about what the Anglo-Saxon valued by demonstrating those beliefs in Beowulf and other characters throughout the poem. Bravery, Christianity, and loyalty are all demonstrated strongly in the story of Beowulf, and furthermore educates us on the ways of the Anglo-Saxon people around the time frame of Beowulf. First, Beowulf instructs us on the Old English views on bravery. Beowulf demonstrates bravery all throughout the poem by never backing down, and by always willing to take on whatever complication presents itself. When Beowulf first crosses the sea, he only had one purpose in doing so, for he wanted “to win the goodwill Of your people or die in battle,” (366-367) This signifies Beowulf fearlessness of death and shows his true heroic characteristics. He does not care about his own life as long as he can conquer his enemy and win over the heart of the people. Shortly after he extinguishes the first monster, he then faced with an even more difficult task of killing that monster’s mother. When he gets to the Grendel’s mother’s hideout, “he leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s” (570) This furthermore proves to us Beowulf’s bravery. He