Old English Poetry

The Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes were the three related Germanic tribes that invaded the Roman province around the year 450 after the Romans withdrew. During the Anglo-Saxon era, most people were pagan but Christianity also influenced them. In pagan society, the relationship between each person and their tribes is a very close; also, the collective power of the tribe was needed when people faced the difficulties of the struggle for survival. Such a strong sense of a collective enabled them to protect their loved ones and the tribe as a personal responsibility. During this time, the heroes were grateful and welcomed. Since, the blood vengeance was a sacred duty during the Anglo-Saxon era, revenge for the man’s kinsmen was required. Trust, loyalty, and respect between the warrior and his lord are one aspect of the Heroic Code. Being brave enough to protect his people and his kinsmen is one aspect of the Heroic Code as well. Beowulf represents the Heroic Code of Anglo-Saxon culture because he has trust, loyalty, and the respect of his lord and thane; he avenges his kinsman after one of them is slain; he is so courageous to protect his kinsmen no matter what, whether he becomes King or not. “The lord leads his men in battle and rewards them with the spoils; royal generosity was one of the most important aspects of heroic behavior. In return, the retainers are obligated to fight for their lord to the death, and if he is slain, to avenge him or die in the attempt” (Old English Poetry, Page 8).

First, trust, loyalty, and respect exist between Beowulf and his lord. Trust, loyalty, and respect are three basic elements between the warrior and the lord. First, the lord and the warriors should trust in each other; the warriors trust their lord will protect them and the lord trusts the warriors will try to protect the people and the lord. Then, based on the trust, the warriors will be loyal to their lord and their people. Respect is reciprocal, and all of these three aspects are circulatory and each aspect is obligatory. From line 260 to line 285 in the Beowulf epic, Beowulf explains why he came to Dane and wants to protect the Danes. The Dane’s lord Hrothgar has helped Beowulf’s father before, and Beowulf is here to protect Hrothgar and his people. Moreover, from line 425 to line 441, it also indicates that Beowulf comes to Dane to fight with Grendel-the monster, with his own men to help him and nobody else. Then Hrothgar allows his requests. Because of the trust, loyalty, and respect between Beowulf and Hrothgar, Beowulf comes this far to help Hrothgar and Hrothgar believes Beowulf will help him and win this battle with Beowulf’s own men.

Second, Beowulf revenges his kinsman after one of his kinsmen is slain by Grendel. “(Grendel) he grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings, bolted sown his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless eaten up hand and foot” which describes