Four Anglo-Saxon Values of Beowulf’s Character Essay Sample

Truly admired work forces of great bravery lived by four nucleus Anglo-Saxon values: bravery. trueness. generousness. and courtesy. These four of import values were the foundation of their civilization. They besides had an high affect on the unity of warriors of this clip period. Scops told narratives of these values. giving the warriors the ability to travel on to the battleground with no fright of deceasing ; to keep nil back as they fought. It made them experience ageless. and if they were to decease so it was a forfeit to their state. A warrior. who displayed amazing attachment to these values in the heroic poem verse form. is Beowulf. The rubric character demonstrated bravery. trueness. generousness. and courtesy exhaustively.

Loyalty formed the anchor of Anglo-Saxon society and was the lone manner in which jurisprudence and order could be maintained and people protected. When a man’s curse of trueness is broken. it is a treachery to the highest value of the society. Beowulf adheres to loyalty by non presuming the throne until after Herdred’s decease.

Their male monarch – so. when Higd’s one boy
Was gone. Beowulf ruled in Geatland.
Take the throne he’d refused. one time.
And held it long and good. ( 92 )
Loyalty is clearly illustrated through Beowulf’s character from cognizing it is non the right and respectful action to take because he is non the direct royal lineage. He knew when to accept his destiny as going swayer of the Geats. Certain facets of his character combined to build a consummate male monarch.

Courage was a piece of Beowulf’s character. True bravery is the ability to stand up to overpowering odds with doggedness and finding. A phenomenal illustration of this is during the battle with the firedrake.

And for the first clip in his life that celebrated prince
Fought with destiny against him. with glorification
Denied him. He knew it but he raised his blade
And struck at the dragon’s scaly fell. ( 104 )

The firedrake renewed Beowulf’s bravery from when he was a warrior ; as he was a male monarch so. The finding he shows is outstanding as he goes up against near-impossible odds of lasting to protect his people. This brings in the generousness Beowulf possesses.

Beowulf wants to make a sense of morale among his people and the lone manner to make it is to give pecuniary wagess back to the people. Even when Beowulf is injured he gives Wiglaf his personal. valuable accessories for murdering the firedrake that had been an huge menace to everyone.

Then that brave male monarch gave the aureate
Necklace from around his pharynx to Wiglaf.
Gave him his gold-covered helmet. and his rings.
And his mail shirt. and ordered him to utilize them good. ( 113-114 )

Beowulf’s generousness and benevolence are premier illustrations of his ability to honor his people. Beowulf continues to be a glorious leader even in times of hurt. Through all the fantastic heroic certificates Beowulf exhibits. he still maintains one the most well-thought-of 1s.

Courtesy is all about being polite and holding good manners. Beowulf exemplifies this supremely. The difference between courtesy and generousness is that his generousness is for all of his people. whereas courtesy is a gesture of acknowledging person being of worth to have a valuable gift.

Hrothgar’s. and now theirs.
Beowulf rewarded that boats’ watcher.
Who had stayed behind. with a blade that had hammered
Gold lesion on its grip: the arms
Brought him award. ( 80 )
Beowulf proves his courtesy here because he rewarded the watcher that stayed with the boat entirely. It allowed the watcher to return place with self-respect and aristocracy. Beowulf acknowledged that he was praiseworthy of the blade he gave him.

Beowulf was looked up to as the greatest warrior of his clip. He represented the stereotyped “perfect” warrior. By holding close flawlessness in all of the four values. he inspired warriors of this clip period to follow his brave. generousness. trueness. and courtesy.