Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Culture in Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxons were a Germanic people that crossed the North Sea to Britain in 449 AD. These Germanic tribes brought along many ideals. They were a people who admired men of outstanding courage and heroic ability. They also placed high importance on loyalty, which was an essential ingredient to achieve the success of not only the tribe but the entire kingdom. They were also a people that realized the shortness of life and therefore completed heroic acts to achieve fame. These three ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture namely: loyalty, heroism and fame, are clearly manifested in England’s heroic epic, Beowulf.

In Beowulf, loyalty is made evident by means of the way the “Band” treated their prince Beowulf, and the way the soldiers treated their king, Hrothgar. Although Beowulf’s Band realized that their efforts against Grendel were insignificant they still were favourable inclined to give their lives on behalf of Beowulf, their prince. For example, the poem stated, “Al...