Saxons

The Anglo-Saxons, burdened with poor soil and floodwaters in their native Scandinavia, fled to Britain after the Romans left in retreat because of their crippling empire, taking with them traditions of elaborate storytelling via epic poems and song. Putting into meter the major events of their tribe’s history, the scops transmitted these epic poems and songs from generation to generation in mead-halls, central gathering places similar to the courts of monarchs. Through this transmission from one…

Beowulf can be considered a Christian or pagan epic. I will compare the elegiac themes in the Wanderer and Beowulf and how they were heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxons. In conclusion, I will discuss how Beowulf is still relevant today. Beowulf is the longest epic poem in Old English, which was the language spoken in Anglo-Saxon…

Beowulf is an epic poem that is written in Old English. Beowulf is a strong warrior from Geat with many accomplishments. He is a primary example of a hero. Even as the story changed from Anglo-Saxon based to Christian based, he is still a hero. He is courteous and loyal to everyone, but of a time of need were to occur his violent nature would arise. Beowulf is relevant to today’s society because it provides an example of a hero, it portrays coming together to rewrite the poem, and it teaches…

appears to the world as a positive inspiration guiding people to the lightness; however, sometimes beacon has a negative effect on people as a temptation. In British literature, beacon is always a central concept in entire British history from Anglo-Saxon Period to Victorian Era.…

One of the oldest surviving poems in Old English, Beowulf is considered to be a brilliant piece of Anglo-Saxon literature that truly embodies the journeys of an epic hero. The protagonist, Beowulf, went through three distinct challenges as an epic hero, with each one being more difficult than the one before. Throughout his journey, themes of religion and identity along with good versus evil are revealed in order to show the ultimate morality and strength of will power in a man. The topic of…

Common to ancient civilizations and even many countries today is the pitting of countries against each other in an arch rivalry. For the Anglo-Saxon people, this was the Viking raiders. During a time filled with Viking raids, the looming threat of the sea and impossibly quick Viking ships that could come at any moment would indeed seep into the lore of the time. Due to this perpetually overhanging fear, the Vikings’ defining presence left their brand through the stories of the time. The…

Beowulf acts as an open door, leading modern day historians into a deeper view and understanding of Anglo-Saxon religion. In more recent years it was discovered that Christianity wasn’t established during this time period, but rather Paganism was the dominant religion of the people. This has caused controversy over the fictional religious aspects of the epic. Nevertheless, the controversy is able to give historians a view of the older culture and society, even if it is through modern day…

Everyday life in Anglo Saxon England was hard and rough even for the rich. Society was divided into three classes. At the top were the thanes, the Anglo Saxon upper class. They enjoyed hunting and feasting and they were expected to give their followers gifts like weapons. Below them were the churls. Some churls were reasonably well off. Others were very poor. However at least they were free. Below them were a class of slaves called thralls. Their lives were very hard.Some churls owned their own…

In Anglo-Saxon times literature escalated as an oral tradition. It was past along generations including songs, ancient stories, and poems. The poems did not posses the expected rhyme, they particularly had a strong beat. These traditions all held unique types of alliteration. Anglo-Saxon traditions in Beowulf illustrate how the Anglo-Saxon traditions became a strong influencing focus in Beowulf. In Anglo-Saxon culture and literature, to be a hero was to be a warrior and ultimately a king. He…

The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf is ancient legend that was performed by bards. While the poem itself defies logic, it does a wonderful job of unlocking the secrets behind Anglo-Saxon culture. Analysis of the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf reveals that the Mead Hall served important roles in Anglo-Saxon culture as a place for governing, celebration, and ceremony. The first and possibly most important role of the Mead Hall was its role as the main government building in Anglo-Saxon culture. This quote from…