Lit 12 Anglo Saxons

Beowulf
Beowulf, the story of one of the greatest warriors ever, is a very interesting story. The fact that it is a poem has you read it more epically and the old language helps you understand the beliefs and meaning of something as such to a warrior. Beowulf is amazing, while although he is boastful of the things he has done, he always manages to back up his words and amaze everyone with the strength and bravery a man could posses, and not taking one demon, but two, the first being killed almost instantly by Beowulf's grip ripping his arm off and the second an almost unbelievable fight underwater ending with a blow that sent her to her grave.
The story shows many of the belief structures that warriors or Anglo-Saxons had during their time. To be a warrior was a very proud thing and many of the good warriors seem to hold a courageous attitude and always want to do good for a selfless cause and only wanting to be remembered for it, Beowulf being a great example when he says "Bid my warriors raise a splendid moundon the shore-cliffsafter my funeral firethat a remembrance shalltower high on Hronesness." Warriors deal with eachother in odd ways, not being afraid to boast, rather boasting is very popular to gain respect and friendship amongst people and is shown through out the text and especially shown when Beowulf is confronted by one of the King's warriors who tries to test Beowulf on how great he is and Beowulf gladly reminds him of his amazing deeds shown in the chapter 'Beowulf comes to Herot.'
Beowulf is a hero that can be recognized in almost every culture especially our own in the U.S. Super Hero's often possess the attitude Beowulf portrays to make people have trust and confidence in him such as Superman an example being "Perhaps in kindness I may advise Hrothgar how he, wise and famous,may overcome this enemy" a phrase spoken by Beowulf to ensure that the King will want his help. He also possesses an extreme ammount of strength, demonstrated where he ripped the arm off of Grendal and is somehow a significantly better warrior than others in his world. One of the only aspects I can think of that doesn't help him relate as a super hero would be he can't fly, other than that, he is basically your medi-evil superman.
The way Beowulf dies is although in a way cliche, since many heroes die for causes that are above them, but it is very epic and lets you know how proud warriors could feel to have fought along side their king they looked up too or having the will to continue to fight despite the fact you will probably die. The only problem I had with the ending was Beowulf's desire to have the treasures he fought for around him, although you see the character trait throughout the book, this part really shows how stuck up and narcisistic a proud warrior like Beowulf really is.