Journal 4

In the Anglo Saxon culture, warfare, bravery, and strength are regarded as the pinnacle of success. In Beowulf, the setting, plot, and actions all focus around the concept of warfare. In the Danes, the King Hrothgar values his limitless power and throws parties in his mead-hall, Herot. Although he lives a jubilant life, Hrothgar faces quite a dilemma when “a powerful monster, living down in the darkness” relentlessly kills many of his soldiers (Raffel 21).  Facing the constant fear of this hellish creature that has been “conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain” who haunts the Danes for 12 winters.  Luckily, a brave warrior, Beowulf, arrives from Geats to fend of this monster, and diminish this evilness. In the first half of this epic poem, the reader is able to easily find the Anglo-Saxon traits. The poem is set around the times of warriors, and fighters, just like the Anglo-Saxon culture. Additionally, you can see the Anglo-Saxon culture in Beowulf’s character. He travels all the way to the Danes to show off his bravery, and his strength. Even though Grendel has killed countless amount of men with his “hell forged hands, ” Beowulf does not fear Grendel, and gladly accepts to defeat him (Raffel 22). Beowulf shows his strength by defeating Grendel with his bare hands, which is another value the Anglo-Saxon culture embodies.  Beowulf’s main universal theme is the battle between good and evil. Beowulf fighting the evil Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon all support this universal theme.