Anglo Saxon Culture In Beowulf Essay

Anglo-Saxon Culture: Beowulf and Present Day Beowulf is the oldest epic in the English language and provides substantial evidence on many early Anglo-Saxon cultural beliefs. The story is filled with numerous examples of views held by people during this time. Although the majority of these aspects is based around heroic deeds, battle, or loyalty to a royal leader, they were highly valued and can still be applied to present-day life. Values found in Beowulf such as memento mori, wyrd, and comitatus shaped Anglo-Saxon culture, and memento mori is just one that is still widely found throughout the twenty-first century. The first aspect displayed in Beowulf is memento mori, the belief that one’s soul is preserved through fame and that immortality is reached through lifelong accomplishments. Many characters exhibit this, but it is most dominant regarding Beowulf. In section twenty one, Beowulf makes it clear that this is exactly what he desires by stating, “On earth; he who can earn it should fight / For the …show more content…
It is shown in section seventeen that Wealthow believes in wyrd when she speaks, “If fate takes their father [Hrothgar] while Hrothulf is alive; / I know your nephew’s kindness” (Beowulf 1182-83). From this, it can be concluded that the Danish queen believes in and accepts fate, and that she is prepared if her husband meets his death all too soon. Wyrd is portrayed again in lines 2491-93 when Beowulf gives credit for his victories and rewards to fate, which insinuates that he believes fate is responsible for his success and that it was his destiny to defeat the evil creatures he slayed. Beowulf later defeats the dragon with Wiglaf’s help, but he ultimately meets his death. However, as mentioned previously, he sensed his death before even going into battle. Knowing this, he still accepted his fate, slaying the dragon in one final effort to be