Qualities of an Ideal Anglo-Saxon Warrior Illustrated in...

An Anglo Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, which was originally passed down through an oral tradition during the 5th century was written into literacy by an unknown Christian monk during the 10th century. This classic poem explicitly illustrates an ideal Anglo Saxon hero of possessing the characteristics that many people during that time regarded highly. Beowulf is an epitome of an Anglo Saxon ideal hero who possesses loyalty to both of his people and king, desires to gain glory and fame for his own recognition rather than riches, and believes devotedly to his destiny and faith in God. â€Å"Comitatus†, a meaning of loyalty and responsibility among a group, was a very important ideology in the Anglo Saxon society. Beowulf exemplifies an ideal†¦show more content†¦Not only is Beowulf loyalty to a foreign king, but he is also affectionate to his own King, Hygelac. After Beowulf returns from a victorious fight with the monster, he comes back with a ship load of treasures a nd rewards. However, Beowulf does not keep the treasures to himself but says â€Å"since every benefit I have ever received I owe you, my closest kinsman on earth† (Chapter 31) to King Hrothgar. Not only did Beowulf send riches and treasures to his king but he also spent wealth lavishly on his followers. While Beowulf was on the urge of dying, Wiglaf shouts to the cowardly warriors, â€Å"Our ancient king often gave us---heroes while in hall!---helmets and mailcoats, the finest treasures he could find for his men anywhere on earth, armor like the brilliant well-wrought war-gear you are wearing right now†(Chapter 39). Even though Beowulf was an honorable King who possessed great wealth, he was not greedy, but generous in sharing his wealth to his followers. Sharing his riches not only signifies unselfishness, but also lives up to his belief of â€Å"comitatus†. Showing his loyalty throughout a multiple series of acts in the poem, Beowulf definitely idealize s an Anglo Saxon hero. Another trait that allows Beowulf to be an ideal Anglo Saxon hero is his mind of wanting to gain fame rather than wealth and riches. During the Anglo Saxon period, people did not believeShow MoreRelatedMasculinity In Beowulf1977 Words   |  8 Pagesface-value. Back before 700 AD, the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons ruled small, individual kingdoms across a portion of what we call Europe. Their only uniting factor was a collective fear of invasion from foreign enemies which would usually result in massive bloodshed and slaughter. This ingrained fear for survival gave way to a shared interest in the gritty darkness beneath every sound reality. In Anglo-Saxon literature, for example, nature is illustrated as a dark, unknown, as well as unforgiving place.Read MoreEssay on A Comparison of Oedipus and Beowulf693 Words   |  3 Pages The characters Oedipus and Beowulf represent two different types of heroes. Oedipus is a tragic hero and characterized by its standards. He was an influential man of stature who had a tragic flaw. While he contributed to his own downfall, Oedipus was not entirely responsible for it. He also learned a lesson from his mistakes which ultimately creates a catharsis in the reading audience. Beowulf, on the other hand, is characterized by the standards of an epic hero. He strives for excellenceRead MoreEpic of Beowulf Essay740 Words   |  3 Pages The characters Oedipus and Beowulf represent two different types of heroes. Oedipus is a tragic hero and characterized by its standards. He was an influential man of stature who had a tragic flaw. While he contributed to his own downfall, Oedipus was not entirely responsible for it. He also learned a lesson from his mistakes which ultimately creates a catharsis in the reading audience. Beowulf, on the other hand, is characterized by the standards of an epic hero. He strives for excellenceRead MoreEssay on Heroes of Celtic and Germanic Mythology3702 Words   |  15 Pagesgroups were often remarkably analogous. Frequently, the archetypical champions of Celtic and Germanic mythology exhibited similar characteristics regardless of whether or not they were Anglo-Saxon, Rhenish, or Irish. Indeed, there are many parallels between the behaviors demonstrated by the heroes of Beowulf, the Nibelungenlied, and the Tain Bo Cuailnge. Some of the most striking of these parallels are: the noble and divine lineage of the hero; the hero’s increased endurance and his exceptional