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

Anglo-Saxon Customs and Values Reflected in Beowulf Readers today mount 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 determine from the time of the poems composition. Beowulf makes reference to Ingeld and his wife and the coming Heathobard dissension 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 ro patchtic feelings between spouses. In fact, ones marital status was even considered insignificant. For example, with the hero himself the poet never 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 indeed the good king, of a noble race, great Scylding prince, held that best thane round the jazz and kissed him his bust ran down, streaked his great beard. Wise in his age, he anticipate two things, but one the more strongly, that never again would they typeface on each other as in this brave meeting. That man was so dear that he could not withhold those deep tears fixed in his heart by the bonds of thought, a deep-felt longing for the passion man burned in his... ...ld English days. From the above its taken for granted(predicate) 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. smart York Anchor 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. Thompso n. San Diego Greenhaven Press,1998. Collins, Roger and McClure, Judith, editors. Bede The Ecclesiastical register of the English People The Greater Chronicle Bedes letter to Egbert. New York Oxford University Press, 1969.