Question
Hear me! We've heard of Danish heroes,
Ancient kings and the glory they cut
For themselves, swinging mighty swords!
How Shild made slaves of soldiers from every
(5) Land, crowds of captives he'd beaten
Into terror; he'd traveled to Denmark alone,
An abandoned child, but changed his own fate,
Lived to be rich and much honored. He ruled
Lands on all sides: wherever the sea
(10) Would take them his soldiers sailed, returned
With tribute and obedience. There was a brave
King! And he gave them more than his glory,
Conceived a son for the Danes, a new leader
Allowed them by the grace of God. They had lived,
(15) Before his coming, kingless and miserable;
Now the Lord of all life, Ruler
Of glory, blessed them with a prince, Beo,
Whose power and fame soon spread through the
world.
Shild's strong son was the glory of Denmark;
(20) His father's warriors were wound round his heart
With golden rings bound to their prince
By his father's treasure. So young men build
The future, wisely open-handed in peace,
Protected in war; so warriors earn
(25) Their fame, and wealth is shaped with a sword.
When his time was come the old king died,
Still strong but called to the Lord's hands.
His comrades carried him down to the shore,
Bore him as their leader had asked, their lord
And companion while words could move on his
(30) tongue.
Shild's reign had been long; he'd ruled them well.
There in the harbor was a ring-prowed fighting
Ship, its timbers icy, waiting,
And there they brought the beloved body
(35) Of their ring-giving lord, and laid him near
The mast. Next to that noble corpse
They heaped up treasures, jeweled helmets,
Hooked swords and coats of mail, armor
Carried from the ends of the earth: no ship
(40) Had ever sailed so brightly fitted,
No king sent forth more deeply mourned.
Forced to set him adrift, floating
As far as the tide might run, they refused
Formatted by Andrew Keating
Beowulf | 1
Beowulf
Translated by Burton Raffel
*Glossary of Names Located at End of Text
To give him less from their hoards of gold
(45) Than those who'd shipped him away, an orphan
And a beggar, to cross the waves alone.
High up over his head they flew
His shining banner, then sadly let
The water pull at the ship, watched it
(50) Slowly sliding to where neither rulers
Nor heroes nor anyone can say whose hands
Opened to take that motionless cargo.
1
Then Beo was king in that Danish castle,
Shild's son ruling as long as his father
(55) And as loved, a famous lord of men.
And he in tum gave his people a son,
The great Healfdane, a fierce fighter
Who led the Danes to the end of his long
Life and left them four children,
(60) Three princes to guide chem in battle, Hergar
And Hrothgar and Halga the Good, and one
daughter,
Yrs, who was given to Onela, king
Of the Swedes, and became his wife and their queen.
Then Hrothgar, taking the throne, led
(65) The Danes to such glory that comrades and kinsmen
Swore by his sword, and young men swelled
His armies, and he thought of greatness and resolved
To build a hall that would hold his mighty
Band and reach higher toward Heaven than anything
(70) That had ever been known to the sons of men.
And in that hall he'd divide the spoils
Of their victories, to old and young what they'd
earned
In battle, but leaving the common pastures
Untouched, and taking no lives. The work
(75) Was ordered, the timbers tied and shaped
By the hosts that Hrothgar ruled. It was quickly
Ready, that most beautiful of dwellings, built
As he'd wanted, and then he whose word was obeyed
All over the earth named it Herot.
(80) His boast came true he commanded a banquet,
Opened out his treasure-full hands.
That towering place, gabled and huge,
Stood waiting for time to pass, for war
To begin, for flames to leap as high
As the feud chat would light chem, and for Herot to
Formatted by Andrew Keating
Beowulf | 2
Beowulf
Translated by Burton Raffel
*Glossary of Names Located at End of Text
(85) burn.
A powerful monster, living down
In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient
As day after day the music rang
Loud in chat hall, the harp's rejoicing
Choose ONE of the following characters from Beowulf and (using examples from the poem) explain how that character demonstrates Anglo-Saxon cultural values by discussing their qualities. You must identify at least 3 values to discuss for your chosen character, and provide evidence from the poem (include the quotes, citing the page from our class copy specifically), that you discuss for each example.
Remember to use the RACE writing method. Your response should have a short introduction, clear thesis statement identifying the Anglo-saxon virtues the chosen character does or does not display, and then short paragraphs discussing each value, and a brief conclusion that wraps up your argument.
Character options:
Beowulf (traits of the hero/warrior/king)
Hrothgar (traits of a king. How is he a good king? Where has he failed as king?)
Unferth (what traits does he have? Where does he fail?)
Wiglaf (traits of the young/ new hero/family member/vassal to his king)
You will be permitted to reference the text of Beowulf from the link provided for the course while writing your response so you can pull quotes. You must use this copy, and include appropriate in-text citations with page numbers.
Remember, you must include quotes from the text(cited from the specific translation from the course) for full credit on the questions. For the copy we are using, cite the line numbers.
Character Beowulf. Write 5 sentences in your own words two paragraphs
Ancient kings and the glory they cut
For themselves, swinging mighty swords!
How Shild made slaves of soldiers from every
(5) Land, crowds of captives he'd beaten
Into terror; he'd traveled to Denmark alone,
An abandoned child, but changed his own fate,
Lived to be rich and much honored. He ruled
Lands on all sides: wherever the sea
(10) Would take them his soldiers sailed, returned
With tribute and obedience. There was a brave
King! And he gave them more than his glory,
Conceived a son for the Danes, a new leader
Allowed them by the grace of God. They had lived,
(15) Before his coming, kingless and miserable;
Now the Lord of all life, Ruler
Of glory, blessed them with a prince, Beo,
Whose power and fame soon spread through the
world.
Shild's strong son was the glory of Denmark;
(20) His father's warriors were wound round his heart
With golden rings bound to their prince
By his father's treasure. So young men build
The future, wisely open-handed in peace,
Protected in war; so warriors earn
(25) Their fame, and wealth is shaped with a sword.
When his time was come the old king died,
Still strong but called to the Lord's hands.
His comrades carried him down to the shore,
Bore him as their leader had asked, their lord
And companion while words could move on his
(30) tongue.
Shild's reign had been long; he'd ruled them well.
There in the harbor was a ring-prowed fighting
Ship, its timbers icy, waiting,
And there they brought the beloved body
(35) Of their ring-giving lord, and laid him near
The mast. Next to that noble corpse
They heaped up treasures, jeweled helmets,
Hooked swords and coats of mail, armor
Carried from the ends of the earth: no ship
(40) Had ever sailed so brightly fitted,
No king sent forth more deeply mourned.
Forced to set him adrift, floating
As far as the tide might run, they refused
Formatted by Andrew Keating
Beowulf | 1
Beowulf
Translated by Burton Raffel
*Glossary of Names Located at End of Text
To give him less from their hoards of gold
(45) Than those who'd shipped him away, an orphan
And a beggar, to cross the waves alone.
High up over his head they flew
His shining banner, then sadly let
The water pull at the ship, watched it
(50) Slowly sliding to where neither rulers
Nor heroes nor anyone can say whose hands
Opened to take that motionless cargo.
1
Then Beo was king in that Danish castle,
Shild's son ruling as long as his father
(55) And as loved, a famous lord of men.
And he in tum gave his people a son,
The great Healfdane, a fierce fighter
Who led the Danes to the end of his long
Life and left them four children,
(60) Three princes to guide chem in battle, Hergar
And Hrothgar and Halga the Good, and one
daughter,
Yrs, who was given to Onela, king
Of the Swedes, and became his wife and their queen.
Then Hrothgar, taking the throne, led
(65) The Danes to such glory that comrades and kinsmen
Swore by his sword, and young men swelled
His armies, and he thought of greatness and resolved
To build a hall that would hold his mighty
Band and reach higher toward Heaven than anything
(70) That had ever been known to the sons of men.
And in that hall he'd divide the spoils
Of their victories, to old and young what they'd
earned
In battle, but leaving the common pastures
Untouched, and taking no lives. The work
(75) Was ordered, the timbers tied and shaped
By the hosts that Hrothgar ruled. It was quickly
Ready, that most beautiful of dwellings, built
As he'd wanted, and then he whose word was obeyed
All over the earth named it Herot.
(80) His boast came true he commanded a banquet,
Opened out his treasure-full hands.
That towering place, gabled and huge,
Stood waiting for time to pass, for war
To begin, for flames to leap as high
As the feud chat would light chem, and for Herot to
Formatted by Andrew Keating
Beowulf | 2
Beowulf
Translated by Burton Raffel
*Glossary of Names Located at End of Text
(85) burn.
A powerful monster, living down
In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient
As day after day the music rang
Loud in chat hall, the harp's rejoicing
Choose ONE of the following characters from Beowulf and (using examples from the poem) explain how that character demonstrates Anglo-Saxon cultural values by discussing their qualities. You must identify at least 3 values to discuss for your chosen character, and provide evidence from the poem (include the quotes, citing the page from our class copy specifically), that you discuss for each example.
Remember to use the RACE writing method. Your response should have a short introduction, clear thesis statement identifying the Anglo-saxon virtues the chosen character does or does not display, and then short paragraphs discussing each value, and a brief conclusion that wraps up your argument.
Character options:
Beowulf (traits of the hero/warrior/king)
Hrothgar (traits of a king. How is he a good king? Where has he failed as king?)
Unferth (what traits does he have? Where does he fail?)
Wiglaf (traits of the young/ new hero/family member/vassal to his king)
You will be permitted to reference the text of Beowulf from the link provided for the course while writing your response so you can pull quotes. You must use this copy, and include appropriate in-text citations with page numbers.
Remember, you must include quotes from the text(cited from the specific translation from the course) for full credit on the questions. For the copy we are using, cite the line numbers.
Character Beowulf. Write 5 sentences in your own words two paragraphs
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Introduction:**
In the epic poem *Beowulf*, the character of Beowulf exemplifies several key Anglo-Saxon cultural values, including bravery, loyalty, and generosity. His characteristics not only set him apart as a hero but also reflect the ideals of the warrior society from which he hails. Through his actions and interactions with others throughout the poem, Beowulf embodies these virtues, establishing himself as a paragon of heroism and leadership.
**Bravery:**
One of Beowulf's most prominent traits is his bravery, which is demonstrated during his battle with Grendel. When he hears of the monster terrorizing Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf courageously travels to Denmark to confront the beast without the use of weapons, declaring, “I will face the foe in hand-to-hand combat” (lines 194-195). This willingness to risk his life for the sake of others highlights the Anglo-Saxon value of courage in the face of danger, showcasing his determination to protect Hrothgar's people. Additionally, Beowulf's fearless demeanor when he eventually battles Grendel’s mother further solidifies his reputation as a formidable warrior: “He who fights and dies, will earn glory” (line 99). His actions are a testament to the Anglo-Saxon ideal that true warriors seek honor through courageous deeds.
**Loyalty and Generosity:**
Another vital quality of Beowulf is his loyalty, especially towards his king and kin. Upon arriving in Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf expresses his dedication to his people and his desire to help: “I have come to this country to honor my lord” (line 194). This showcases his commitment to loyalty and service—an essential duty of a warrior. Furthermore, Beowulf's generosity is evident when he offers his newfound treasures and rewards to his own men after defeating Grendel, citing, “Now I give you these gifts and treasures” (line 950). Such acts of generosity reinforce the importance of sharing wealth and glory among the warrior class, reflecting a critical aspect of Anglo-Saxon culture that promotes the communal bond between a king and his warriors.
**Conclusion:**
Through his bravery in battle, unwavering loyalty to his king, and acts of generosity towards his comrades, Beowulf exemplifies the heroic ideals celebrated in Anglo-Saxon culture. His character serves as an enduring symbol of the values that defined a warrior's life in this era, as well as the broader social expectations placed upon leaders and heroes. In embodying these virtues, Beowulf not only achieves personal glory but also strengthens the bonds of kinship and loyalty within his community.
In the epic poem *Beowulf*, the character of Beowulf exemplifies several key Anglo-Saxon cultural values, including bravery, loyalty, and generosity. His characteristics not only set him apart as a hero but also reflect the ideals of the warrior society from which he hails. Through his actions and interactions with others throughout the poem, Beowulf embodies these virtues, establishing himself as a paragon of heroism and leadership.
**Bravery:**
One of Beowulf's most prominent traits is his bravery, which is demonstrated during his battle with Grendel. When he hears of the monster terrorizing Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf courageously travels to Denmark to confront the beast without the use of weapons, declaring, “I will face the foe in hand-to-hand combat” (lines 194-195). This willingness to risk his life for the sake of others highlights the Anglo-Saxon value of courage in the face of danger, showcasing his determination to protect Hrothgar's people. Additionally, Beowulf's fearless demeanor when he eventually battles Grendel’s mother further solidifies his reputation as a formidable warrior: “He who fights and dies, will earn glory” (line 99). His actions are a testament to the Anglo-Saxon ideal that true warriors seek honor through courageous deeds.
**Loyalty and Generosity:**
Another vital quality of Beowulf is his loyalty, especially towards his king and kin. Upon arriving in Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf expresses his dedication to his people and his desire to help: “I have come to this country to honor my lord” (line 194). This showcases his commitment to loyalty and service—an essential duty of a warrior. Furthermore, Beowulf's generosity is evident when he offers his newfound treasures and rewards to his own men after defeating Grendel, citing, “Now I give you these gifts and treasures” (line 950). Such acts of generosity reinforce the importance of sharing wealth and glory among the warrior class, reflecting a critical aspect of Anglo-Saxon culture that promotes the communal bond between a king and his warriors.
**Conclusion:**
Through his bravery in battle, unwavering loyalty to his king, and acts of generosity towards his comrades, Beowulf exemplifies the heroic ideals celebrated in Anglo-Saxon culture. His character serves as an enduring symbol of the values that defined a warrior's life in this era, as well as the broader social expectations placed upon leaders and heroes. In embodying these virtues, Beowulf not only achieves personal glory but also strengthens the bonds of kinship and loyalty within his community.