Anglo-Saxon Values in Beowulf

In the longest epic poem of Old English, *Beowulf*, there are many symbols, allusions, and traditions woven throughout the historical piece. Anglo-Saxon tradition in *Beowulf* accurately illustrates and is influenced by the traditions of Anglo-Saxon culture. By comparing and contrasting Anglo-Saxon values to the text of *Beowulf*, we can analyze how *Beowulf* was composed and influenced by the culture. We can then dissect where the values or ideas of Anglo-Saxon culture may have been exaggerated or were even altogether false.

By surveying the overall plot, we can have a bird’s-eye view of what inspired this epic poem, how it was relevant to the time, and whether it can still be relevant in the twenty-first century; furthermore, this will depend on the values reflected in the text of *Beowulf*.

Anglo-Saxons were people in the 5th century who inhabited Great Britain. Their social structure consisted of “kings” or, sometimes called, “lords.” Below them were their warriors called “thanes” or “retainers.” An Anglo-Saxon king would have to earn the respect of his thane through heroic wins in battles. Although thanes freely followed a king without a contract, there was a sense of pride in belonging to a king, especially a noble one. A thane's sense of identity came from belonging to a tribe. Therefore, it was a thane's worst fear to be exiled from his tribe. After a battle, an Anglo-Saxon king would be expected to share the riches earned in tribal warfare, rather than store them up for himself. The king was expected to be very generous and giving, and the same went for the king’s wife.

Fighting was a large part of Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a way to earn honor in their tribe. Furthermore, revenge was an opportunity to earn a respected place in your tribe. If there was an opportunity to avenge the death of a family member, and you chose not to, you would be going against their social etiquette. Therefore, there were endless blood-feuds in Anglo-Saxon society, and they were mostly an excuse to go to war and be triumphant, earning you respect in the tribe. However, there weren’t the only ways to end a blood-feud; there were two more ways. The first was to pay a price, or “wergild,” which means "man price." The second was to arrange a marriage. Women in Anglo-Saxon culture carried this idea of peace, often being called “peace weavers” because they could end feuds. While this may be true, for Germanic tribes, fighting was much more honorable than paying a price for peace or marrying another tribe’s daughter. Therefore, “peace” through bloodshed was the popular choice. Sometimes Anglo-Saxons would temporarily gather their tribes to fight a larger battle or Viking invaders.

Oral tradition was a big part of Anglo-Saxon culture, as they hadn’t developed a written language. It wasn’t until Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine in 597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. It was because of the Christian missionaries that writing and the Latin alphabet were brought to the Anglo-Saxon tribes. In 627, King Edwin of Northumbria converted to Christianity and started to write laws. Alexander the Great, who was a patron of literature, helped works be translated into Old English, such as *Beowulf*. However, before Pope Gregory sent missionaries, the Anglo-Saxons had no written language. This means that stories weren’t read in books; they were told by word of mouth. For centuries, stories like *Beowulf* were passed down orally. From generation to generation, the story's details may have changed, but the overall plot and its symbols remain. From oral tradition birthed poetry. Poets and harpists recited and sang as entertainment in the mead halls. Anglo-Saxon poetry wasn’t like today’s typical rhyme and meter writing; it focused more on accent and alliteration.

The Anglo-Saxon language and style are called Old English. Despite being composed of different dialects, literature treats it as a language. Our syntax of words and sentences comes from Anglo-Saxons, as well as how we tend to shorten words and simplify grammar. Our days of the week are named after Anglo-Saxon gods. For example, we get Wednesday from Woden, the war god, and Friday from Frigga, the goddess of the home. Old English is not uniform like many languages are.

Anglo-Saxons valued, as you might have concluded by now, honor. More specifically, being honored by their tribe. Much of a thane's self-worth was tied up in whether their king and tribe respected and honored them. Thanes earned this honor by winning in battle or even sacrificing themselves during battle. There were also ways you could be dishonored; for example, being the last to live in a battle where most of your tribe members died would be a disgrace. It would be seen that you didn’t fight hard enough, to your death essentially.

*Beowulf* is the oldest surviving long epic poem, consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It’s popularly credited as one of the most important works of Old English literature. It’s a story of the supernatural and of Anglo-Saxon history. The story takes place in Denmark and Sweden in the 6th century. The story is focused around Beowulf and his tribe, the Geats. Although it is not known whether Beowulf was a real man, the Germanic history incorporated in the poem is accurate. *Beowulf* was a story passed down through oral tradition; therefore, it has lost its original interpretation. Much of the information about the origin of *Beowulf* is from speculation. What we do know is that the only manuscript left is from circa 1000 AD. The author of *Beowulf* is also unknown, as most poets of the Anglo-Saxon time are.

Despite the different interpretations, the general plot and symbols remain the same. The story goes like this: King Hrothgar of Denmark has had a successful reign and has built a mead hall called “Heorot.” It was a place for the king’s warriors to eat, drink, listen to stories, music, and be entertained. But the noise was too much for Grendel, a demon who lived in the swamplands. Now every night, Grendel would come terrorize and kill the warriors. Despite the warriors’ efforts to fight back, they never defeated Grendel, and the terrorizing went on for years. Now a young Geatish warrior named Beowulf heard of King Hrothgar’s distress and sailed across the sea with a small group of men, determined to come to the rescue and defeat Grendel. Now Hrothgar did a great favor for Beowulf’s father Ecgtheow; therefore, the king accepts Beowulf’s offer to fight Grendel, and then they have a feast to celebrate. During the feast, one of the king’s men taunts Beowulf and says he doesn’t deserve his reputation; Beowulf defends himself by sharing some of his accomplishments.

At last, Grendel arrives, and Beowulf defeats him with no weapons, proving he is stronger than the demon. When Grendel tries to escape, Beowulf tears Grendel’s arm off, leaving him fatally wounded, and Grendel dies. They hang Grendel’s arm in the mead hall like a trophy. The king is overjoyed by the triumph, so he throws Beowulf a party to celebrate his victory. But after everyone has gone to sleep, Grendel’s mother arrives, enraged by her son’s death, and kills one of Hrothgar’s most trusted soldiers, then slips away. Grendel’s mother lives in a swampy lake, where Beowulf dives into her underwater lair and kills her with a sword made for giants. After, Beowulf finds Grendel’s dead body and decapitates his head to bring to the mead hall. King Hrothgar and his Danes are once again overjoyed and celebrate their land being free from the demons.

Throughout the story, we see many Anglo-Saxon values like fighting for revenge. When Grendel’s mother kills one of the king's Danes, Beowulf kills her. We also see honor in the story where each time Beowulf is victorious, he is celebrated and therefore respected. These two values are the most important in Anglo-Saxon tradition.

There are a few symbols throughout the story as well, such as the negative aura surrounding water. In the beginning, Beowulf must travel through the treacherous sea, Grendel lives near a swamp, and Grendel’s mother lives in a lair in a dark swamp. Swords are also symbolized in the story as useless. When Beowulf fights unarmed to prove he doesn’t need them and is stronger than the demon, and again when Beowulf uses the sword to fight Grendel’s mother and her blood melts the sword.

In conclusion, Anglo-Saxon tradition in *Beowulf* accurately illustrates and is influenced by the traditions of Anglo-Saxon culture. *Beowulf* most accurately demonstrates these traditions and culture through the overall theme of honor through battle and respect of others. This epic poem serves as a window into the past, reflecting the values and beliefs of a society driven by warfare, loyalty, and vengeance. By examining the interplay between the poem and its cultural context, we gain a deeper understanding of how literature can both shape and be shaped by the society from which it emerges. This makes *Beowulf* not only a significant historical artifact but also a timeless narrative that continues to resonate with modern audiences who seek to understand the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of honor.

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