An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Anglo-Saxon Customs and Values

Anglo-Saxon Customs and Values Reflected in Beowulf Readers today onslaught the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf with cultural preconceptions very different from those expressed by the author of this poem. This essay hopes to enlighten the modern reader regarding the customs and values from the date of the poems composition. Beowulf makes reference to Ingeld and his wife and the coming Heathobard feud in that hot passion his love for peace-weaver, his wife, will cool (2065-66) This is a rare passage, for Anglo-Saxon poetry rarely mentions romantic feelings between spouses. In fact, ones marital status was even considered insignificant. For example, with the hero himself the poet neer mentions whether he is married or not. On the other hand, feelings between men are presented frequently and with surprising intensity. Consider Beowulfs farewell from Hrothgar and Heorot Then the good king, of a noble race, broad Scylding prince, held that best thane round the neck and ki ssed him his tears ran down, streaked his great beard. Wise in his age, he expected two things, but one the more strongly, that never again would they look on each other as in this brave meeting. That man was so dear that he could not withhold those cryptic tears fixed in his heart by the bonds of thought, a deep-felt longing for the beloved man burned in his... ...ld English days. From the above its diaphanous that abundant evidence amply demonstrates that Beowulf truly reflects an Anglo-Saxon culture which is so much different from anything modern readers are used to. BIBLIOGRAPHY Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York sand Books, 1977. Cramp, Rosemary. Beowulf and Archaeology. In TheBeowulf Poet, edited byDonald K. fry. Englewood Cliffs, NJ Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968. Robinson, Fred C.. Differences Between Modern and Anglo-Saxon Values. In Readings on Beowulf, edited by Stephen P. Thompson. San Diego Greenhaven Press,1998. C ollins, Roger and McClure, Judith, editors. Bede The Ecclesiastical History of the English battalion The Greater Chronicle Bedes Letter to Egbert. New York Oxford University Press, 1969.