Comparing Beowulf, The Anglo Saxon And Beowulf s Motivations

Beowulf, the Anglo Saxon Epitome: An analysis of the Anglo Saxon code and Beowulf’s Motivations The story of Beowulf is an outstanding example of the Anglo Saxon code. But what is the Anglo Saxon code? What is a code? A code is something to live by, often an unwritten pledge and standard to live by as one resides or partakes in a team with unity. Code is defined simply as â€Å"program instructions.† For instance, if one participates in a school sport activity, such as cross country, there is an unwritten code that each participant needs to be nothing but positive, that each athlete, no matter how good or bad, contributes to the team in some way, and that each athlete gives their full effort even if it doesn’t measure up to the effort†¦show more content†¦Initially, the anglo saxon code is injected into the Beowulf epic poem in that Beowulf greets King Hrothgar with respect, therefore making Beowulf a character who displays the unwritten law of respecting elders. An example of this is shown when Beowulf enters Hrothgar’s palace and greets him, year ning to defeat Grendel, the enemy of the Danes, who the king and his soldiers cannot defeat: â€Å"Hail, Hrothgar! Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days Of my youth have been filled with glory. Now Grendel’s Name has echoed in our land: sailors Have brought us stories of Herot, the best of all mead-halls.† Beowulf is immediately respectful of his elder Hrothgar, as he basically demeans the power of Hrothgar and his community in that they need help from an outsider with great might. Beowulf is a mighty warrior and could very easily overtake Hrothgar’s throne, and though Beowulf is aware of this, he is careful to identify himself as lower class to Hrothgar because Hrothgar is a king, and Beowulf is not. This is a direct instance of the anglo saxon code being portrayed in this epic poem, the idea that the young