Beowulf Research Paper

Cultures can be studied physically to an extent for information about their beliefs; but the best way to identify a culture’s set of beliefs is to contemplate their legends and the epic heroes that resided within each unique tale being told. Civilizations such as the ancient Greeks have been further defined by some of their popular epic heroes including Hercules, Odysseus, Achilles, and Theseus, but all civilizations are different. Anglo-Saxon culture is expressed to modern day observers by the popular legend Beowulf in addition to The Wanderer and Dream of Rood. Beowulf, debated to be the oldest the oldest piece of surviving literature in English, gives a rare insight at the values and characteristics of Anglo-Saxon people. This …show more content…
The story of Beowulf begins with a group of people called the Danes enduring terror from the monster Grendel. A strong warrior named Beowulf hears of the Danes being terrorized and gathers a force of men to go help. This shows one characteristic the Anglo-Saxons favored: good morals/high ethics. When Beowulf arrives he does not waste time constructing a plan to rid the hall of Grendel. Beowulf is told that no one else has been able to kill Grendel because he is too strong for ordinary men, but Beowulf does not pay much attention to this. Beowulf completes his plan to kill Grendel and succeeds, though Grendel does try to oppose Beowulf with strength that is just as equal. From the story you can see that the Anglo-Saxon’s valued courage, bravery, and …show more content…
Beowulf sailed to the Dane’s kingdom to help its people, despite being Geatland’s hero, which showed his high morality. Courage and bravery were necessary to defeat Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Super-human strength is a characteristic that was also ever-present in Beowulf, not only did Beowulf require it to defeat Grendel and his mother, but the combined strength of Beowulf and Wiglaf, the loyal servant, defeated the dragon and saved Beowulf’s