Almeida 1

Brady Almeida

Mr. Higgins

English 12 CP

24 October 2014

Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxons were people who inhabited what is now Great Britain from the fifth
century. They suffered many domestic hardships such as disease and vitamin deficiencies, as
well as foreign issues such as Vikings coming to invade their land. Anglo-Saxon literature was
passed on orally, so constant invasions from the Vikings caused the Anglo-Saxons to lose most
of their literature. However, what literature they have left describes their culture and lifestyles.
Their most common pieces were epic poems that told tales of larger than life heroes foregoing
courageous adventures. One of their oldest surviving epic poems is the story of the brave hero
Beowulf.

The Anglo-Saxons strongly believed in fame and fate. Fame is the only thing that would
carry their names and achievements forever. The more fame one person had, the longer they
would live after they were dead. They were, at first, non-Christian, so they had no belief in a life
after death. Everyone knew that their fate would soon come, so obtaining and spreading their
fame was of the highest importance to them. Beowulf exemplified the concept of fame as he set a
course to slay the creatures that terrorized King Hrothgar’s land. He wanted no riches or land,
but simply for his men to be taken care of, his wealth to go back to his land, and a tower to be
built in his name for the people to remember him by if he were to die. Beowulf saw no
importance in riches, but importance in gaining fame for his name to live on forever.

Warrior’s had a duty to revenge the death of a kinsman, defend the members of a
community, and to stay with members of whom they have sworn their loyalty to and often fight
to the death. Revenge was a big part of the lifestyle of the Anglo-Saxons. Warriors were paid by
kin the exact price for the death of another man based on their social status. Grendel’s mother
comes in rage to Heorot to avenge the death of her son who was slain by Beowulf. She kills King
Hrothgar’s most trusted advisor, Aeschere. Beowulf and his men travel to Grendel’s mother’s
residence in the swamp, where Beowulf kills her, underwater where he could have possibly died,
in order to obtain revenge.

Very few pleasures existed in the time of the Anglo-Saxons. Their main source of
pleasure was to make love and hold parties and feasts. Their feasts would last for days on end.
King Hrothgar had a hall built for his people to dine and to embrace in festivities. This is where
they held their celebration for the arrival of Beowulf. These feasts were usually in honor of
someone.
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Beowulf is a prime example of the lifestyle of the Anglo-Saxons. It has all the examples
of their literature. There is so much more to be learbned from Beowulf.