Beowulf
...though it has not been confirmed, that Beowulf was composed as a whole around Eighth century AD. The author, still to this day, remains unknown, and the idea remains that perhaps the "author" of this poem was no more than an editor, or collector of others poems from over the centuries. After reading the poem it becomes abundantly clear how closely the historic epic captures the ideas, morals, and opinions of the Anglo-Saxon culture at the time. The poem Beowulf, by an unknown author, highlights the ideas of masculinity, glory, and loyalty by articulating the four cultural characteristics throughout the heroic epic. All of these characteristics displayed in Beowulf would be very much admired by the Anglo-Saxons. However you look at it you will be able to see that Beowulf is the creation of one extremely talented poet.
Beowulf is shown to be the strongest above all of the others. The most obvious characteristic of this transitional culture portrayed in Beowulf highlighted by imagery in the heroic epic is the masculinity that enabled the strong to survive. Beowulf was "the strongest of the Geats" and also "greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world". Beowulf could slay the greatest monster of all, Grendel, and basically is the embodiment of masculinity. He displayed that he was very resourceful, as well as, the other traits listed. He shows how intelligent he can be when he was fighting Grendels mother and he became weary and began stumbling. In the middle of the battle, Beowulf almost dies if it were not for his woven mail shirt he wore over his chest. Beowulf ends up defeating Grendel's mother and shows how masculine he is by coming back from almost losing the battle to winning it with the heavy sword. Beowulf is characterized as a fearless warrior with physical strength and a resourceful leader which are all, basically, what being...
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