Epic poetry usually embodies the attitudes and ideals of an entire culture. What values of Anglo-Saxon society does Beowulf reveal? What universal themes does it also reveal? Use specific examples from the poem to support your answer.
In Beowulf, we can see the way heroes were renowned for their deeds within Anglo-Saxon society. As Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel’s mother, he is not only rewarded with immense fortune, but he also gets the satisfaction with being recognized as a hero within Hrothgar’s village. With this recognition, he inherits the role of hero in stories that would be told in mead halls for generations to come. This is significant to Anglo-Saxon cultures because having bards recite the tales of heroes had been a long standing tradition amongst these communities. Correspondingly, in Beowulf we can see how Anglo-Saxons were willing to face death for recognition as a hero. Through Beowulf, we can also see the Anglo-Saxons’ feelings on loyalty. This theme appears when Wiglaf stands up against the dragon with Beowulf after preaching about Beowulf to the other warriors who ran away.
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