Who is that I see walking through the wood? Is it a savage, feral wolf whose teeth yearn for my human blood, or is it a bloodthirsty, menacing Dane who lusts for my bloody death on his axe’s blade? The time of the Anglo-Saxons was one of blood and ultimate gore as they tore through history with a vengeance, a perfect example of this is the Danish epic Beowulf. Cloaked, and probably “be-daggered” in anonymity, Beowulf is without an official author, but that does not mar its continued fame in literature today. The ideal epic of its time period, Beowulf features an Anglo-Saxon horde of characters who never relinquish their grasp on a their fearsome statuses, and a lionhearted hero, Beowulf, whose valhalla, or perhaps heaven given powers prove
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The Viking warriors were devote to their causes, devout from birth until their usually bloody deaths, and this is what added to the beauty of their culture, their undying loyalty. Beowulf is a Viking warrior, and throughout the story shows his loyalty to his people, by enduring trials, or battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. Proving his worth Beowulf conquers the monsters to earn honor and respect among the Vikings, but he also commits himself to these heroic acts to defend other Vikings. “Then that noble protector of all seamen/ Swam to land, rejoicing in the heavy/ Burdens he was bringing with him.” (ll.578-580). This quote discusses Beowulf being the honorable defender of all seamen, and historically all Vikings were considered to be seamen due to their dependence upon the sea. The “seamen” the quote refers to is not just a all sailors, but it is all Vikings. Beowulf was considered the protector, and defender of all Vikings, he was considered this not only because of his bravery, but also because loyalty to his people. This loyalty to the Vikings is what leads Beowulf to fight Grendel, the she-wolf Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. The Vikings were a fierce people, fighting many wars, raiding many shores, and conquering many forces, but it was loyalty that held them together as a band of forceful brothers and
The Viking warriors were devote to their causes, devout from birth until their usually bloody deaths, and this is what added to the beauty of their culture, their undying loyalty. Beowulf is a Viking warrior, and throughout the story shows his loyalty to his people, by enduring trials, or battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. Proving his worth Beowulf conquers the monsters to earn honor and respect among the Vikings, but he also commits himself to these heroic acts to defend other Vikings. “Then that noble protector of all seamen/ Swam to land, rejoicing in the heavy/ Burdens he was bringing with him.” (ll.578-580). This quote discusses Beowulf being the honorable defender of all seamen, and historically all Vikings were considered to be seamen due to their dependence upon the sea. The “seamen” the quote refers to is not just a all sailors, but it is all Vikings. Beowulf was considered the protector, and defender of all Vikings, he was considered this not only because of his bravery, but also because loyalty to his people. This loyalty to the Vikings is what leads Beowulf to fight Grendel, the she-wolf Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. The Vikings were a fierce people, fighting many wars, raiding many shores, and conquering many forces, but it was loyalty that held them together as a band of forceful brothers and