Beowulf Vs. Anglo Saxon Cultures - 984 Words

In the land of the Geats many warriors have been raised to be boastful and confident. Through the culture of the Anglo-Saxons, the Geats became barbaric figures unlike the Celtic people who resemble the five knightly virtues. Beowulf helps resemble the Anglo-Saxon culture through his passion, ambition, and courage as well as through the stories of his successes that he shares. Gawain differs from this confidence and boastful attitude of the Geats due to the humble and courteous attitude that he carries. This difference in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures can be seen in Beowulf s heroic journey due to the physical trials that Beowulf goes through versus the virtuous and trials to character that Gawain faces. This difference from the emphasis on physical trials in Beowulf and the emphasis on the test of character in Gawain therefore demonstrate the difference in the two cultures that each hero belongs to. In Beowulf the call to adventure was a direct call that he heard as opposed to a s ymbolic call. When the Danes were attacked by Grendel over multiple occasions, the Geats, as well as others around the world, heard of the terrors that the Danes were facing. Beowulf decided he should take action to help the Danes. With this decision, he is accepting the call to adventure. As written by Heaney, He announced his plan: to sail the swan s road and search out that king, the famous prince who needed defenders (15). Another example of Beowulf accepting his call is when the dragonShow MoreRelatedBeowulf: Themes1038 Words   |  5 PagesBeowulf: Themes The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel s mother and a Dragon. 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