Beowulf is an epic poem written sometime around 1000AD, it is a tale by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet about a great warrior named Beowulf and his life as a warrior. The epic poem gives readers and scholars alike an insight into the medieval warrior society that took place during this era, specifically Germanic and European warrior society. Beowulf highlights many key aspects of the society. Some of these aspects would include what they as a culture valued, how they treated women and even the types of leaders that they glorified. Medieval warrior society was an important factor in shaping not only the world but society as well. Beowulf can be used as a great comparison to society as it is known today.
Beowulf is a young Geatish warrior who travels …show more content…
In the epic poem Beowulf this is seen in the character Unferth, as a warrior he tries to act like he is not scared to take on the beast Grendel, but when Beowulf asks him why he did not do anything to stop the beast’s rampage he has no response. (41). Beowulf proceeds to mock him for being a coward and constantly belittling him. Stating “The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere.” (41). Showing that in a society like this if you are not strong and courageous enough to be a hero you were not considered a man. Leading to specific ways men were supposed to act in this society, if they did not portray themselves as strong individuals who had no weakness they would be ridiculed by others in society, specifically men, immensely. Many men were motivated by this causing them to dedicating their lives to becoming stronger and learning how to properly fight and become warriors. They dreamt of becoming legends and wanted the fame and the fortune that came with it. This further pushed the warrior society mindset enabling men of any age to continue to get stronger, which only led to more conflict throughout history. Characteristics that were valued in this society included strength, masculinity, courage, and bravery. These were valued characteristics because they were many that a warrior would have. Beowulf is deemed a hero when he defeats Grendel’s mother and takes Grendel’s head as a trophy, the Danes are happy, and his fame is spread across all the kingdom. (109). Beowulf was a man who had many characteristics of a great warrior, he even took Grendel head on with only his bare hands to prove how strong he was. (55). Showing that not only was he strong but he was courageous and brave, those characteristics being
Beowulf is a young Geatish warrior who travels …show more content…
In the epic poem Beowulf this is seen in the character Unferth, as a warrior he tries to act like he is not scared to take on the beast Grendel, but when Beowulf asks him why he did not do anything to stop the beast’s rampage he has no response. (41). Beowulf proceeds to mock him for being a coward and constantly belittling him. Stating “The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere.” (41). Showing that in a society like this if you are not strong and courageous enough to be a hero you were not considered a man. Leading to specific ways men were supposed to act in this society, if they did not portray themselves as strong individuals who had no weakness they would be ridiculed by others in society, specifically men, immensely. Many men were motivated by this causing them to dedicating their lives to becoming stronger and learning how to properly fight and become warriors. They dreamt of becoming legends and wanted the fame and the fortune that came with it. This further pushed the warrior society mindset enabling men of any age to continue to get stronger, which only led to more conflict throughout history. Characteristics that were valued in this society included strength, masculinity, courage, and bravery. These were valued characteristics because they were many that a warrior would have. Beowulf is deemed a hero when he defeats Grendel’s mother and takes Grendel’s head as a trophy, the Danes are happy, and his fame is spread across all the kingdom. (109). Beowulf was a man who had many characteristics of a great warrior, he even took Grendel head on with only his bare hands to prove how strong he was. (55). Showing that not only was he strong but he was courageous and brave, those characteristics being