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Lynette Saldana

Miss Figueroa

Senior English 1

7 December 2018

Morals and Values

Morals and values are what makes people who they are and creates the personality they

have. Anglo-Saxons are Germanic inhabitants who invaded Great Britain in the early centuries.

When they invaded Great Britain, the poem, “Beowulf” was told. When the poem was created

they put their values into the poem. The epic poem, Beowulf is on an epic hero who has many

heroic qualities; that he uses in battle. Beowulf accomplishes two battles with two monsters,

Grendal and Grendals’ mother; however at the end of the poem he loses a battle to a Dragon. The

Anglo-Saxons upheld and discuss examples of the values of loyalty, bravery, and awareness.

For the Anglo-Saxons a value that was exemplified in Beowulf was loyalty. Beowulf’s

best friend Wiglaf helped inspire the men to fight in the honor of Beowulf. In, “Beowulfs last

battle” Wiglaf states, “Our promises trusting our swords he took us for soldiers for men.

Remnant to kill this monster himself” (Beowulf). The men questioned if they can really help him

and they were ready to give up and Wiglaf pushed them to help. Another example of integrity

being valued is when Beowulf asked King Higlac for permission to fight Grendal. Beowulf goes

to king Higlac and tells him, “Lord and protector of this noble place, A single request...That I,

alone and with the help of my men, May purge all evil from this hall” (Beowulf 161-166).

Beowulf shows integrity by doing what is right and going to the king first and instead of just
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fighting Grendal and ruining the kings’ reputation. Having integrity takes courage not everyone

has the ability to be loyal.

Anglo-Saxons also appreciated the bravery that took part in the poem. Courage was

detected when Beowulfs’ men tried battling Grendal. The men’s, “courage was great but all

wasted they could hack at Grendal from every side trying to open a path for his evil soul”

(Beowulf 319-322). The men knew their strength was no match for Grendal and they still tried to

battle him. Beowulf continues to prove his bravery in his battle with Grendal. Beowulf tells the

king, “I have heard, too, that the monsters scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and

fears non nor will I” (Beowulf 166-169). The fact that Grendal does not use any weapons (due to

his shape, size and strength) neither will Beowulf even though he is aware Grendal is bigger than

him. Bravery is greatly admired in this poem because Beowulf shows nothing but bravery.

Anglo-Saxons seek value in awareness of outcomes in hard situations. Beowulf

exemplifies the heroic code multiple times throughout the poem. In the section, “Beowulf last

battle” it states, “were ready each set a slaughter, The Geats’ great prince stood firm, unoving

prepared…” (Beowulf 660-661). Before every battle Beowulf would leave everything in God’s

hands. Before Beowulfs battle with Grendal he tell king Higlac “God must decide who will be

given death’s cold grip” (Beowulf 174-175). Beowulf leaves his battles in the fate of God, he is

comfortable with the fate that is given to him. Being in battles constantly and always having to

be the hero your future is never promised.

Reading “Beowulf” you can suggest the Anglo-Saxons mainly appreciated loyalty, and

awareness. Beowulf proved his loyalty when he asked for permission to battle Grendal and he

gained integrity in return from his best man Wiglaf. Throughout the whole poem Beowulf and
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his men constantly show bravery through the three battles told in the poem. He also shows

awareness by prepared to live or die at the end of the fight. You can learn many things from

Beowulf, do not be too conceited but do not lack confidence.