Deniz Kulaksız 2568343

Analyze if there is shift in the differences between the virtues shown in the epic poem of
Beowulf, namely Anglo-Saxon people, and contemporary ones by giving examples from
both.

Beowulf is an Old English poem based on Germanic heroic ideal written between 8 th and 11th
centuries. Beowulf, like other works of art, reflects the structure, values, ideas, and
philosophy of its day, among other things. Therefore, when the epic poem is analyzed, it can
be seen that it gives its readers a reflection of Anglo-Saxons’ values and worldview and s a
chance for understanding changes in those values between their own world and Anglo-
Saxons’ world. Therefore, this essay will argue that even though the values and worldviews
shown in this epic poem can be relatable up to a certain point for today world’s people, there
are obvious differences due to the changes experienced by today's world.

Firstly, in the epic poem of Beowulf, it is shown that loyalty is an important virtue held
towards larger communities no matter what it costs and whether their community’s right or
not. For example, in Beowulf, it is indicated that warriors are expected to be loyal to their
king, and in return, king must do the same thing. Moreover, this loyalty between the king and
warriors is accepted as the idealized heroic code in the epic poem of Beowulf. Therefore, in
the epic poem, we have a character who remains loyal to his king no matter what and refuses
to learn Grendel’s story whether the monster is right or not, and as a result of this attitude, the
character is regarded as the idealized Germanic hero and rewarded with an unforgettable
repetition. This, however, is not an acceptable situation in today's world. It is more likely that
contemporary people support what is appropriate and reasonable, rather than being loyal to
their authority no matter what. For instance, in the past few years, there have been cases
where people haven't supported their own nation in the war in which their country is involved;
instead, since they believe that the other country in the war is right, they have harshly
criticized their own country and even refused to participate in that war and left the country.
This is considered dishonorable behavior, as well as being contrary to the concept of loyalty
shown in Beowulf, and so belongs to the Anglo-Saxon era. Consequently, it can be stated that
a shift in virtues happened between today’s world and Anglo Saxon’s world.

Secondly, in the epic poem of Beowulf, it is indicated that being courage on the battlefield as
a warrior is a very important virtue. For example, Beowulf is accepted as ‘courage’ for getting
into a battle with Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon and becoming successful in it.
Moreover, it’s observable for Beowulf’s readers that Beowulf stays fearless even in the face
of death. Those attributions are also evidents for his being the idealized Germanic heroic code
Deniz Kulaksız 2568343

which is associated with being brave as well. On the contrary, In the modern era, it seems that
people associate being brave on 'battlefields' with a variety of various connections as well as
dying in the battlefield for their country. For example, one may speak of a worldwide culture
in a globalized world, and it can be claimed that this global culture can regard not getting into
a war and resolving problems more peacefully as ‘heroic and courageness.’ Therefore, even
though there is no harsh shift between virtues of Anglo Saxons shown in Beowulf and today
world, it’s still possible to claim it.

Consequently, Beowulf a work of art that provides people an insight into the values, the way
of living, worldview and so on belonging to that time. With the help of Beowulf, it’s possible
to understand the world of Anglo-Saxons and how it is now for the globalized world. As the
time passed on, changes happened, and Beowulf is a prove for people to witness this change.