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Beowulf Paper
The behavior and reasoning in Beowulf resembles that of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf resembles the ideal Anglo-Saxon he stood next to his men, he wanted to die in honor with his men because that would have been his “fate”. In the epic poem Beowulf the Anglo-Saxon characteristics that are shown are loyalty, wergild, and courage.
The way loyalty is shown in Beowulf is when our hero goes to Herot, to fight Grendel and when Beowulf and Wiglaf fought together to kill the dragon. “Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because / Of the reception your father found at our court. / Edgetho had begun a bitter feud, / Killing Hathlaf, a Wulfing warrior” (Beowulf 1991-194). Hrothgar explains to Beowulf that he is fighting because of his fathers actions and he must repay his father debt . Loyalty was also shown when Beowulf fought Grendel and his men stood by him even though they were getting killed (421-431). Even when his men were dying he still fought with them, he stayed true to his word, by not using a sword. Beowulf stood to die for his country even when he knew he was in trouble. He did not run but his men that were suppose to be loyal fled in fear (746-751). This scene in the epic poem went against the Anglo-Saxon culture, they would have looked down upon these actions. These are the types of situations the epic story put characters in to show how loyal they were just like the Anglo-Saxon.
Wergild is shown in Beowulf when Grendel’s mom wanted to avenge her son’s death, when Hrothgar helped out Edgetho, and when Beowulf took Grendel’s head. “I bought the end of Edgetho / quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the oceans / furrows to the Wulfing’s; your father swore / he’d keep the peace.” (Beowulf lines 204-207). After theses lines Beowulf now knows why he is obligated to kill Grendel for Hrothgar. In the summary between lines(544-545) Grendel’s mom takes Hrothgar best friend and takes...