Sarah Berardelli

Dr. Troost

ENG-263-01

26 February 2023

The Values Within “Beowulf”

Gracious, fair-minded, and kindest to his people were used to describe Beowulf at the end

of the Anglo-Saxon epic, but these values were not applicable everywhere. Between the eighth

and tenth centuries when the poem was possibly created, it included many characteristics from

the Old English period, such as well-known expressions and a crossover of heroic code or

Anglo-Saxon values and Christian values. This crossover was used by the Christian writer that

allowed a mix of viewpoints and values. The Anglo-Saxon values had a strong meaning to the

Danes and the Geats, for they were born fighters and warriors that valued loyalty and bravery

while staying true to God and believing He is by their side in battle. Throughout the poem of

“Beowulf”, the Anglo-Saxon and Christian culture mix influenced the social and personal values

and manners of conduct by staying true to your people, noticeable bravery, and beheading

Grendel.

In the epic, the Anglo-Saxon and Christian culture mix influenced the social values and

manners of conduct through Beowulf’s loyalty to Hrothgar and the Danes. Within the Anglo-

Saxon culture, people had strong values for loyalty and Beowulf added to the expectations of a

warrior society, especially with Hrothgar, throughout the poem. Toward the beginning of the

poem, Beowulf travels to see Hrothgar, the King of the Danes with a group of Geats by his side
to fight a monster named Grendel. Beowulf and the Geats traveling to help Hrothgar and the

Danes is an example of Beowulf’s loyalty and polite manners when they arrived,

“People from Geatland have put ashore.

They have sailed far over the wide sea.

They call the chief in charge of their band

by the name of Beowulf. They beg, my lord,

an audience with you, exchange of words

and formal greeting. Most gracious Hrothgar,

do not refuse them, but grant them a reply.

From their arms and appointment, they appear well born

and worthy of respect, especially the one

who has led them this far: he is formidable indeed”

(361-370).

This quote exemplifies loyalty and polite manners from Beowulf and his people because

Hrothgar’s Wendel Chief, Wulfgar spoke highly of them and their respect. Wulfgar told

Hrothgar that they were worthy of respect, which exemplifies their respectful actions toward the

Danes and polite manners. Also, Beowulf and the Geats traveling far to help Hrothgar and the

Danes to fight Grendel portrays their loyalty to them. Hrothgar knew Beowulf’s father,

Ecgtheow, and helped him when Beowulf was young, therefore Beowulf felt obligated to help

Hrothgar and the Danes out of respect for his father. This family honor from Beowulf

demonstrates Christian values of honoring and remembering loved ones who are living and
deceased. Overall, Beowulf and the Geats exemplified the values of loyalty and honor to

Hrothgar and the Danes when they traveled to help them fight Grendel from the attack.

Next, the Anglo-Saxon and Christian culture mix influenced the personal values of

bravery through Beowulf fighting the monsters and his belief in God throughout the poem.

Bravery is another Anglo-Saxon cultural value and Beowulf portrayed the value of bravery when

he committed to fighting the monsters. Since relationships between people were highly valued, it

was known that when a kinsmen is killed, another man was morally obligated to either kill the

slayer or pay compensation. Beowulf took this obligation into account and proudly told Hrothgar

and the Danes that he will fight Grendel and defend them without protection,

He began to remove his iron breast-mail,

took off the helmet and handed his attendant

the patterned sword, a smith’s masterpiece,

ordering him to keep the equipment guarded.

And before he bedded down, Beowulf,

that prince of goodness, proudly asserted:

“When it comes to fighting, I count myself

as dangerous any day as Grendel.

So it won’t be a cutting edge I’ll wield

to mow him down, easily as I might.

He has no idea of the arts of war,

of shield or sword-play, although he does possess

a wild strength. No weapons, therefore,

for either this night: unarmed he shall face me if face me

 he dares. And may the Divine Lord

in His wisdom grant the glory of victory

to whichever side He sees fit”

(671-687).

This quote explains Beowulf’s bravery because he says he is to fight Grendel without armor, for

he finds it fair to fight the way Grendel does, without weapons. It speaks volumes to the Danes

because fighting a murderous monster is dangerous in itself and he is confident and brave

enough to fight without protection. Also portrayed in this quote is Beowulf believes he is safe

without protection because he knows the Lord will be in control of who wins. This

encouragement is an example of Christian beliefs used in the poem and he believes God is on his

side. Overall, Beowulf portrayed personal values of bravery and belief in God to fight the

monster Grendel.

Lastly, the Anglo-Saxon and Christian culture mix was impacted by the negative manners

of Beowulf when he beheaded Grendel. When Beowulf fought Grendel’s mother and killed her,

before leaving he noticed Grendel’s body and he needed revenge for the damage Grendel did to

the Danes. Beowulf decapitated Grendel’s corpse and the blade of the sword melted away from

the blood. Beowulf then returned to the land of the Danes with Grendel’s head in hand, and

everyone was astonished and proud of his revenge. They proceeded to put the head on a spear

and put it on display,

…each of them wrestling

with the head they were carrying from the lakeside cliff,

men kingly in their courage and capable

of difficult work. It was a task for four

 to hoist Grendel’s head on a spear

and bear it under strain to the bright hall

(1634-1639).

This quote explains how rough the Danes were with Grendel’s head, they wrestled with it and

then placed it on a spear. These actions can be described as ill-mannered actions because placing

a loose head on a sword is not a pleasant act or promoted by God. These actions do not support

the Christian beliefs that the proper bearing of man should be humble and unselfish. Therefore,

these actions are negative manners portrayed by Beowulf and the Danes.

In conclusion, throughout the poem of “Beowulf”, the Anglo-Saxon and Christian culture

mix influenced the social and personal values and manners of conduct by staying true to your

people, noticeable bravery, and beheading Grendel. Beowulf’s actions and abilities portray a

variety of values within the Anglo-Saxon and Christian cultures, some being negative, and others

positive. Beowulf was a true warrior, and he was praised in many ways for his gracious and

courageous actions from the Geats to the Danes and more.

 Works Cited

Beowulf. Translated by Seamus Heaney. Norton Anthology of English Literature, Stephen

Greenblatt, general editor, 9th ed., vol. A, W. W. Norton, 2012, pp. 36-108.

Greenblatt, Stephen, et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 9th ed., vol. 1, W.W.

Norton, 2012.