Cabrera 1

Sophia Cabrera

Ms. Figueroa

Senior English, Period 3

07 December 2018

Integrity Commented [SC1]: Maybe a more creative

title.
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value”. These
Commented [SC2]: Period on inside of quote.
wise words were written from Albert Einstein, these particular words are displayed in and epic

poem called Beowulf. This poem displays multiple values the Anglo-Saxons upheld in their daily

lives. Although the heroic character, Beowulf had the strength of thirty men and held many

tremendous victories, his portray of value is most important than his success. Throughout

Beowulf, the values shared that the Anglo-Saxons honored are loyalty, bravery, and honor. These

values shaped their everyday life because it was the most important part of being a good warrior

and a hero.

One of Beowulf’s warriors Wiglaf portrays the Anglo-Saxons value of loyalty. In the Commented [SC3]: Maybe explain a little
more about Wiglaf.
story Wiglaf states, “I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking and boasting of how

brave we’d be when Beowulf needed us, he who gave us these swords and armor: all of us swore

to repay him…” (Beowulf 706-711). Wiglaf stood loyal and took what the warriors had talked

about into consideration when it was Beowulf who was in his time of need trying to fight the

snake. Wiglaf was the only warrior that stood by Beowulf’s side, displaying loyalty. Loyalty was Commented [SC4]: Why was Wiglaf the only
one that stood by Beowulf’s side and not the
important because that’s what made the warriors want to defend their home. As long as the other warriors like they should’ve.

warriors were loyal to their country, everyone knew they’d be secure and have trust.

Another value that’s portrayed in the story is bravery. Bravery was something all the Commented [SC5]: What did bravery mean to
the Anglo-Saxons?
warriors needed to have in order to fight for their country, win battles and defeat monsters such
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as Grendel. During the time when Beowulf needed his warriors by his side, Wiglaf demanded to

go no further until he contributes in helping him destroy the enemy. Wiglaf makes this clear by

stating, “I’d rather burn myself than see flames swirling around my lord” (Beowulf 726-727).

Wiglaf presents bravery by putting himself in harms way for Beowulf. Commented [SC6]: Extend explanation of the
quote.
Lastly Wiglaf displays honor at the end of the battle trying to defeat an enemy with

Beowulf. Honor is shown when, “… that brave king gave the golden necklace from around his

throat to Wiglaf, gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, and his mail shirt, and ordered

him to use them well…” (Beowulf 820-823). Wiglaf is a man of honor, he is respected. Beowulf Commented [SC7]: Explaining the quote
thoroughly.
honors him because of his loyalty and bravery his portrayed to the king. In return he gave Wiglaf

his valuable items in honor of his service. Commented [SC8]: Should’ve been a more
longer paragraph.
All in all, what the Anglo-Saxons valued were loyalty, bravery, and honor. These values
Commented [SC9]: More textual evidence.
were looked upon in their time especially for when a warrior had a high moral worth or great

achievement. The integrity that Wiglaf had made him become a man of value. Rather than a man

of success which Beowulf shows throughout the text. Although Wiglaf didn’t succeed in the

battle, he honored what the Anglo-Saxons valued and achieved his own personal victory that lies

within.