Beowulf: The Embodiment of Anglo-Saxon Ideals

Beowulf is generous throughout the entire novel. He thinks about others before himself and wants to protect his people more than anything. Before Beowulf leaves to fight Grendel’s mother, he tells king Hrothgar that if he is to die during battle to send his treasures that Hrothgar has given him to Higlac, his king back in Geatland (70, ll.1482-1488). He thinks of the Geats’ great lord instead of himself or his family. This shows that Beowulf is very generous in giving away something that he had already won in battle. Even when Be

Strength is something that either comes naturally or you have to work hard for it. Beowulf was naturally strong. He has the strength of thirty men in his hands (35, l. 380). Beowulf uses this strength on several occasions. One of these occasions being when he kills Grendel, a descendent of Cain who could kill thirty men at once. Beowulf and Grendel battle in Herot for a short amount of time and Beowulf eventually emerges victorious. He kills Grendel by pulling his arm off. “He twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The battle was over, Beowulf had been granted new glory…” (49, ll. 815-819). Beowulf is strong enough to fight any man and almost any monster. His strength is what sets him apart from any other man on earth, and is what makes him someone who the Germanic tribes idealize.

Beowulf is generous, strong, loyal and so much more. He thinks about others before himself and always remains loyal to his people. Becaus

Some topics in this essay:
Herot Beowulf, Hrothgar Higlac, Beowulf Grendel, Beowulf Beowulf, , loyal people, beowulf generous, Beowulf Anglo-Saxons, beowulf loyal, epic poem beowulf, generosity strength, poem beowulf, beowulf possesses, kills grendel, anglo-saxons idealize, grendel’s mother, epic poem,