Saxons

Beowulf is an epic poem that is written in Old English. Beowulf is a strong warrior from Geat with many accomplishments. He is a primary example of a hero. Even as the story changed from Anglo-Saxon based to Christian based, he is still a hero. He is courteous and loyal to everyone, but of a time of need were to occur his violent nature would arise. Beowulf is relevant to today’s society because it provides an example of a hero, it portrays coming together to rewrite the poem, and it teaches…

Common to ancient civilizations and even many countries today is the pitting of countries against each other in an arch rivalry. For the Anglo-Saxon people, this was the Viking raiders. During a time filled with Viking raids, the looming threat of the sea and impossibly quick Viking ships that could come at any moment would indeed seep into the lore of the time. Due to this perpetually overhanging fear, the Vikings’ defining presence left their brand through the stories of the time. The…

The Anglo-Saxons, burdened with poor soil and floodwaters in their native Scandinavia, fled to Britain after the Romans left in retreat because of their crippling empire, taking with them traditions of elaborate storytelling via epic poems and song. Putting into meter the major events of their tribe’s history, the scops transmitted these epic poems and songs from generation to generation in mead-halls, central gathering places similar to the courts of monarchs. Through this transmission from one…

life and a person who you can live through? How does an epic hero represent the values of his or her society? Beowulf was written in 1000 AD by the Anglo-Saxon people its a heroic story of the warrior Beowulf and his journey to slay the monster grendel. That's only the surface of beowulf however there is deeper meanings that reflect the anglo-saxons beliefs and values. Beowulf is the king of denmark and is sent on this mission by a fellow kingdom who is in trouble and he faces the challenge of…

appears to the world as a positive inspiration guiding people to the lightness; however, sometimes beacon has a negative effect on people as a temptation. In British literature, beacon is always a central concept in entire British history from Anglo-Saxon Period to Victorian Era.…

In Anglo-Saxon times literature escalated as an oral tradition. It was past along generations including songs, ancient stories, and poems. The poems did not posses the expected rhyme, they particularly had a strong beat. These traditions all held unique types of alliteration. Anglo-Saxon traditions in Beowulf illustrate how the Anglo-Saxon traditions became a strong influencing focus in Beowulf. In Anglo-Saxon culture and literature, to be a hero was to be a warrior and ultimately a king. He…

Everyday life in Anglo Saxon England was hard and rough even for the rich. Society was divided into three classes. At the top were the thanes, the Anglo Saxon upper class. They enjoyed hunting and feasting and they were expected to give their followers gifts like weapons. Below them were the churls. Some churls were reasonably well off. Others were very poor. However at least they were free. Below them were a class of slaves called thralls. Their lives were very hard.Some churls owned their own…

The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf is ancient legend that was performed by bards. While the poem itself defies logic, it does a wonderful job of unlocking the secrets behind Anglo-Saxon culture. Analysis of the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf reveals that the Mead Hall served important roles in Anglo-Saxon culture as a place for governing, celebration, and ceremony. The first and possibly most important role of the Mead Hall was its role as the main government building in Anglo-Saxon culture. This quote from…

The Anglo-Saxons believed that to be a hero, was to be a courageous warrior. The warrior had to be willing to face any odds, and die in battle, for honor and glory. The warrior must be strong, brave, and witty but also honest and humble. In the Epic Poem, “Beowulf”, Beowulf embodied the Anglo-Saxon as the perfect noble warrior. Beowulf demonstrated his bravery and strength in many instances. Throughout the story, he fought many monsters including, Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and a dragon. After…

In lines 202-224 of the Battle of Maldon1, weakened by the flight of the cowards and the resulting collapse of the shield-wall formation, the Anglo-Saxon army now represents a small force hopelessly outnumbered by the Vikings. Byrhtnoth’s men express their determination to their lord through a series of stirring speeches, first of which is given by Aelfwine. The extract begins with an emphatic description of Byrhtnoth’s death. The poet employs authoritative lexical choices in reference to his…