Beowulf Values

Morals, Values, and Cultures Expressed In Beowulf

Throughout Beowulf, the unknown author reflects on the daily lives and beliefs of the Danes. We are able to see a small glimpse of the way these people lived. Even though it was quite different from today, numerous amounts of ideas are similar to this time period. The main character, Beowulf, is one whom the Danish honor in the poem. He completed the impossible and shows dedication throughout his many battles. In Beowulf, the Danish relate by the way the author uses specific traits to relate back to the morals, values, and cultures of the time.

A value the Danish express during the story is bravery. Beowulf displays courage as he completes each journey while defeating evil. No matter how hard the

He had the perseverance to help Beowulf when the odds were not pointing into his direction. As a result, without the loyalty shown along the poem, we would not have some images we interpret.

Across the poem, the Danes cultural influences show as Beowulf goes through his journey. While reading, you may not fully see how the culture is in the story, but after identifying it is not hard to find. An example, Jones references from the Danish culture is the founder of the Scylding dynasty. He allows us to see the reference to Scyld Scylding, “God sends Scyld to the lordless Danes; he comes as a child in a boat and grows up to be a great war-king. When he dies, his followers send his body back out to sea in a treasure-laden boat. Scyld’s son, Beowulf (not the hero of the poem), continues his father’s reign, and the Danes prosper through generations” (Jones). This example is one of many of the many references toward Danish culture and history. In Beowulf they also compare Grendel a biblical reference:

Not hell but earth. He was spawned in that slime,

Conceived by a pair of those monsters born

Of Cain, murderous creatures