FREE ESSAY ON ANGLOS

ANGLOS

In Anglo-Saxon literature and most likely in Anglo-Saxon times, men were measured by many
of the same aspects of life that men are measured by today's standards. Men of that time
period were godless, fearless, fame seeking and most of all, courageous. Everyone was in
search of these qualities and they achieved them by completing daring deeds, withstanding
harsh conditions and they loved beating the odds. These qualities still live on in us.
Beowulf not only killed a terrifying monster, the monster's mother and also killed a huge
dragon too, achieving fame and showing kingdoms how much strength, courage and
fearlessness he had. It also seemed that heros of that time had to boast about their
deeds to other kingdoms and villages. Acquiring such qualities lead to boasting. People
love to boast when they have beat the odds and have shown the world their will-power.
Boasting when drunk is still very existent is every part of the world like it was part of
the Anglo-Saxons culture. In Beowulf, when Beowulf greets Hrothgar, he says, Hail,
Hrothgar! I am kinsman and thane of Hygelac. In my youth I have set about many brave
deeds (*)
How many times have you introduced yourself to someone and say, When I was younger, I
accomplished many great things? It wasn't enough for a man to show just his people of his
accomplishments, he had to make it know for everybody to see. The same can be said about
our us today. If someone has acquired lots of money through his accomplishments; he/she
lets everyone know by buying expensive cars, houses, jewelry etc to state their success.

In the Wanderer, the author says, Men eager for honor bury sorrow deep in their breast.
(Wanderer, lines 16 & 17) In most Anglo Saxon literaure, this macho is present. The
wanderer also states, 
No man is living....to whom I fully unlock my heart. (Wanderer, lines 10 & 11) The
wanderer is sprinkled with small lines like these to show that a real man can take
anything that the world throws at him. Beowolf is similar to the wanderer in that they
both have the same voice. In Beowulf, Beowulf says, You will not need to hide my head if
death takes me, for he will have me blood smeared; he will bear away my bloodyt