Beowulf Impact Of Fate On Culture Essay

The Impact Of Fate On Culture Beowulf is an epic poem written during the Medieval times about an Anglo-Saxon warrior named Beowulf. The poem has an unknown author due to its age, but was translated into modern English by Seamus Heaney. In the poem, Beowulf goes on many adventures and multiple themes are exhibited throughout the story, including kinship and bravery in battle. The Last Kingdom is a modern novel written by Bernard Cornwell and is based around vikings who annex most of England for themselves in the Medieval times. Many themes appear throughout this novel, including the emergence of Christianity or the importance of land ownership. In both these work, fate is constantly present. The blind belief of fatalism in Anglo-Saxon culture tends to lean towards those in leadership roles rather than to commoners due to always needing a source of guidance beside themselves as displayed by both Uthred and

Uthred reminiscences about his childhood before the Danes began to attack his home and family. Looking back on his childhood, Uthred states, “He was my king and all that I have I owe to him. The food that I eat, the hall where I live and the swords of my men, all came from Alfred, my king, who hated me,” (Cornwell 1). Uthred believes that all he has belongs to his king and he put all his faith in his king to provide for him. Alfred, his king, is in the guiding role in Uthred’s life and Uthred believes blindly in Alfred. Anglo-Saxon commoners believing blindly in their leaders is a common attribute due to the fact that every necessity is provided by their leaders for them. In Anglo-Saxon culture, most, if not all, commoners believe that being wholeheartedly dedicated to their lord will, in return, bring them what they need, whether that be food, protection, or anything other