The Importance of Highly Valued Traits Essay

Ancient Anglo-Saxon culture was structured around several highly highly valued traits; Courage, Generosity, Dedication, and Politeness. It is of the four attributes in which a large number of epic stories were made, and thus passed on for many years through oral account. All of these qualities compile to form what we consider today as being a heroic physique. The composition Beowulf denotes all of these attributes through a lot of the heroic character types throughout the course of the poem.

The feature of valor is clearly evident throughout the entire composition. Everything Beowulf does is actually a direct url to courage. Beowulf is a perfect sort of an Anglo-Saxon point of view how much more significant courage and honor happen to be as compared to failure. In this offer, it is shown how determined he is to eliminate Grendel and gain canon.

Of your people or perhaps die in battle, pressed/ In Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness/ And courage, or here in this hall welcome/ My loss of life! (632-638). Another perfect example of Beowulf’s courage is usually demonstrated soon before this individual murders Grendel when he says, Grendel is not a braver, simply no stronger/Than I actually am!

I possibly could kill him with my own sword (677- 678). Grendel has killed countless troops in Herot for years, yet Beowulf promises that not just can this individual kill him, but likewise he can do it without any weaponry or shield. By doing this, Beowulf takes what seems like a very large risk in a fight and surrender it intended for glory.

During the Anglo-Saxon Period, being a main character was extremely important, but being a hero whom accomplishes both the notion of courageous preventing against a great evil monster, and performing it with design makes him even more so. Right after murdering Grendel, Beowulf all over again demonstrates his courage when he makes the statement Against this kind of monster: if he comes to me/I mean to stand, not run from his shooting (2524-2525). By saying this, it additional promotes his right to end up being the epic hero. Another characteristic inside the poem is definitely Loyalty. A prime example of Devotion in the poem could be the Gold Torque that is given to Beowulf.

The necklace that Wealhtheow gives Beowulf is a symbol of the relationship of commitment between her people and Beowulf. Since tokens of appreciation and the like had been very vital in Anglo-Saxon time periods, this concept of this keepsake is essential launched given to Beowulf. An example of Dedication shown intended for Beowulf is another key factor in the poem.

All of Beowulf’s/Band jumped using their beds/Determined/To shield their royal prince if that they could(794-797). This kind of quote is showing just how useless Beowulf’s men should be him, but at the same time demonstrating their commitment. In the offer, the word if is used to spell out how they will protect their price if they could. Although they are likely unable to do this, it is the loyalty that is essential. During the Anglo-Saxon Era, the very fact of commitment to kinds king or perhaps leader much more important than ones potential himself.

As long as a man was loyal to his leader and was willing to make an effort his best and give his life on with him, that is certainly greatest factor a man can give. Good manners is another sort of a necessary feature in the cardiovascular system of an Anglo-Saxon hero. A hero would have all other qualities and not become respected in the event he is not really courteous to his men and to his foe. An example of when Beowulf is very courteous to his foe, is when he first would go to fight Grendel, and Beowulf takes off his armor and puts straight down his weapon.

Not only does this make him a very rspectable foe, although also helps his ego. Not even the sharpest of swords could have cut/ It through, broken that off the monster’s/ Arm and ended its life, as Beowulf/ Experienced done armed only along with his bare hands (987-990). Last but not least, one attribute that should never be forgotten is Kindness. Although Beowulf’s crossing in the sea to aid Hrothgar may very easily be considered a generous take action in its own, another figure in the composition comes to mind the moment generosity is recognized as.

Welthow, Beowulf’s wife, is incredibly generous when ever all the warriors sit down into a feast in the Mead hall before the challenge between Beowulf and Grendel. Then Welthow went via warrior to warrior, /Pouring a portion in the jeweled cup/For each (620-622). Welthow, looking nothing aside from her partner to succeed in defeating this beast seems as if she actually is doing most she can in order to support.

In order for anyone to be considered a heroic figure in Anglo-Saxon times, a single had to have four main qualities; Loyalty, Bravery, Generosity, and Courtesy. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf displays that he’s an ideal paradigm for the word of an legendary hero. If it is courageous, faithful, generous, and courteous, Beowulf lays the ground not only for future years king of his people, Wiglaf, yet also to several epic heroes to come.