Bravery In Beowulf

Beowulf, written in c.700-750AD, is one example of an epic poem written with uncanny roots to the Anglo-Saxon faith. During the approximate era the story takes place, most soldiers were illiterate, and would enlist the help of bards, or poets, to tell their stories and uphold their legacies. Though most poems written by bards, upon translation, ended up with strong Christian influences, the most fundamental aspects of Anglo-Saxon life are still evident in the work. Some of the most unequivocal connections are that of both the Anglo-Saxon literature and culture. The lifestyle of Beowulf reflects elements of the culture including the need to protect, organization of a community around a leader. There is also some religious influence of the qualities of …show more content…
Beowulf, though a somewhat uncouth warrior, travels the sea with his 14 men to provide aid to Hrothgar and Herot. He is willing to put the lives of himself and his men at risk for the sake of another kingdom. He does so with exemplary bravery, giving up any weapon and protection he may have brought simply for the sake of a fair fight. He seems to have no fear, even stating that only “God must decide [who would] be given to death’s cold grip: (ll.174-175). The men he travels with are loyal to him in his first fight, but ultimately betray him by fleeing during his final fight, during which only Wiglaf steps up. It is the betrayal of Beowulf by his men in his final fight that leads him to request that Wiglaf must “lead [Beowulf’s] people], something only expected of a direct blood heir (ll.811). The people who celebrate in Herot are all organized around and regard Hrothgar with unwavering respect and trust. They “congregate and make merry” under his leadership, and greet him with “Hail Hrothgar” (Introduction Paragraph). With regard to the work as a whole, the beasts that Beowulf