What do people today see as a hero? Does loyalty, strength, honesty, and bravery matter to most people? In Anglo-Saxon culture, bravery, generosity, friendship, and loyalty were virtues honored. An unknown author wrote Beowulf explaining how Beowulf escaped his wyrd by achieving these virtues. Beowulf shows characteristics of Anglo-Saxon code of honor including bravery, strength, and loyalty.
Bravery is an important virtue that Beowulf possessed. Fighting Grendel in an unknown place to his self was one way Beowulf showed his bravery. Also even though his shield broke while battling Grendel's mother he pressed on and defeated her. And still yet when he was around seventy years old he willingly agreed to fight the dragon, showing his bravery one last time before death.
Bravery is an important virtue but strength is equally important. The battle with Grendel showed this as well. Beowulf fought Grendel with his bare hands to make the fight fair. Defeating Grendel's mother, who was the "mother of all evil" in her lair while fending off other monsters showed his strength as well. While getting lost at sea when he and Brecca were having a swimming contest, yet still coming out alive showed his strength. He survived as "the frozen sea surged around" (line 279) him while killing sea monsters "nine was the number" (line 307). Along with bravery and strength, Beowulf showed loyalty in many ways. First, fighting Grendel for the Danes was a sign that he was loyal to Hrothgar by repaying him the favor he had completed for his father. Remaining close to Brecca while facing the sea "until the sea swept us [them[ apart" (line 278) also showed loyalty. Specifically, this incident proved he was loyal even to his opponent. Also, Beowulf revealed his loyalty by sacrificing himself unto death for his people.
Bravery, strength, and loyalty were all important virtues according to Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf presented these 3 virtues in various ways.
