Anglo-Saxon Ideal Code of Conduct
he epic poem of “Beowulf” presents the characteristics of two
heroes, Beowulf and Hrothgar. During this Anglo-Saxon time period, Hrothgar rules as the king of hi
s Danish lands. However, this king faces many problems due to the disturbances of a monster known a
s Grendel. As an Anglo-Saxon warrior of the time, Beowulf hears of this creature and journeys throu
gh the hero’s path to kill Grendel. Through this journey, Hrothgar and Beowulf reconstruct the code
of conduct of an ideal Anglo-Saxon king and warrior.
The Danish lands of the time are ruled by Hro
thgar, a respected and generous king. These qualities of character were admired by the people of hi
s time and place. All people of Hrothgar’s kingdom respected this king, and they all accepted his
“very word far and wide as a command.” The people also give him great titles such as the “Lord of t
he Mighty Danes,” “guardian of the Scyldings,” and “protector of warriors.” Much of these people’s
respect come in response to Hrothgar’s generosity to everyone. This generosity can be seen towards
Beowulf, when the king gives his thanks for the heroic deeds of the warrior. Hrothgar rewards Beowu
lf with priceless material as he says to the warrior, “You shall lack no earthly riches I can offer
you.” The people of the land also trust their king, who holds a strong belief in God. In the scene
where Hrothgar celebrates Grendel’s death, he holds the monsters hand as he says, “Let us give than
ks at once to God Almighty for this sight.” The followers of the king both respect and trust their
ruler, and through his generosity and strong trust in good, Hrothgar displays the ideal code of cond
uct for an Anglo-Saxon king.
Mano 2
Another epic hero that has qualities th
at follow the Anglo-Saxon code of conduct is Beowulf. This warrior, known to be the “strongest man
alive,” leaves for a heroic journey when he hears of the evil Grendel. He first shows his strength
and bravery when he sets sail to assist Hrothgar in defeating Grendel after hearing news of the crea
ture in his own land. Beowulf is constantly referred to as brave, such as when he defeats Grendel,
and Hrothgar must reward him for his heroics. As the “brave man moved forward until he stood immedi
ately before the Danish lord,” Hrothgar says, “I will reward this brave man with treasures.” The
unbeatable strength of Beowulf shows during his confrontation with Grendel, when the monster instant
ly realizes that “never had he met any man in the regions of earth, in the whole world, with so stro
ng a grip.” The enormous creature, for the first time, meets his match and cannot help but to feel
terror and “eager to escape to his lair.” To further understand Beowulf’s power, the author describ
es of an “immense invincible sword wrought by the giants” that no other human but Beowulf could hand
le it during battle. Through his bravery to confront the evil creature and his strength to defeat G
rendel, Beowulf creates himself as the bold and powerful warrior that represents that ideal code of
conduct for an Anglo-Saxon warrior.
Through the hero’s journey in “Beowulf,” characteristics of bot
h Hrothgar and Beowulf can be seen. Hrothgar plays his role as a respected and generous king, while
Beowulf is the strong and brave warrior. In displaying these characteristics, both Hrothgar and Be
owulf reconstruct the ideal code of conduct for an Anglo-Saxon king and warrior.
---------------------------------------------------------anglo saxon ideal code conduct epic poem beowulf presents c
haracteristics heroes beowulf hrothgar during this anglo saxon time period hrothgar rules king danis
h lands however this king faces many problems disturbances monster known grendel anglo saxon warrior
time beowulf hears this creature journeys through hero path kill grendel through journey hrothgar r
econstruct code conduct ideal king warrior danish lands time ruled respected generous these qualitie
s character were admired people place people kingdom respected they accepted very word wide command
people also give great titles such lord mighty danes guardian scyldings protector warriors much thes
e respect come response generosity everyone generosity seen towards when gives thanks heroic deeds w
arrior rewards with priceless material says shall lack earthly riches offer land also trust their ho
lds strong belief scene where celebrates grendel death holds monsters hand says give thanks once alm
ighty sight followers both respect trust their ruler through generosity strong trust good displays i
deal code conduct mano another epic hero that qualities that follow known strongest alive leaves her
oic journey when hears evil first shows strength bravery when sets sail assist defeating after heari
ng news creature land constantly referred brave such defeats must reward heroics brave moved forward
until stood immediately before danish lord says will reward brave with treasures unbeatable strengt
h shows during confrontation with monster instantly realizes that never regions earth whole world st
rong grip enormous creature first meets match cannot help feel terror eager escape lair further unde
rstand power author describes immense invincible sword wrought giants other human could handle durin
g battle bravery confront evil strength defeat creates himself bold powerful represents hero journey
characteristics both seen plays role respected generous while displaying these characteristics both
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