The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been written in the
tenth century, however, the poem had most likely been told as an oral tradition
for centuries before that. In fact, the poem’s events date back to the sixth
century. However, because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf still in tact
very little is known about the poem or its author. The poem does, however, give
us great insight into the culture of the people who composed and told this epic
tale. Because the poem was performed orally mainly between the eighth and tenth
centuries, but dealt with subject matter of centuries earlier, it is difficult
to decipher and separate the cultural context involved in the poem from one
century to the next. The poem was probably unrecognizable from its original
state after two hundred years of oral tradition that would have changed its
content drastically. The storyline of the poem, the battles and significant
events, probably maintained most of their identity while the cultural context
took on another form more suited to the current culture of the people. By the
time it was written, in 1000, the poem was probably most representative of the
tenth century culture yet it still managed to tell a story similar to the
original version. Beowulf, then, gives us a significant insight into the
cultural views of the tenth century Anglo-Saxons including their political,
social and moral views. The individualistic society was just beginning to
replace the tribal system in which no individual had been seen as more important
to the success of the tribe than any other. The individuality that Beowulf
displayed helped establish new rules in society. Beyond this, Beowulf gives us
an even greater insight into middle ages society. Woven throughout almost every
aspect of their culture and the poem are very strict moral codes and values.
Loyalty, honesty, family ties, courage and even Christianity play a major role
in this epic poem. In each of the stories told throughout the poem elements of
these values are openly displayed. All three of Beowulf’s battles demonstrate
qualities deemed virtuous and essential to the people of the middle ages.
Beowulf, a godfearing, heroic warrior, first faces a monster that represents all
things evil. The monster is a descendant of Cain, a bloodthirsty avenger of man
and an outcast. Beowulf confronts this evil figure without any fear and without
the aid of any manmade weapons of war. The strength of the wickedness is
outmatched by the goodness and purity Beowulf. Only because Beowulf displayed no
fear and used no weapon was he able to destroy this wicked force of destruction.
The hero, Beowulf, is glorified more for his virtue than for his strength in
defeating the monster. For those who displayed no virtue, despite their valor,
the consequence was quite different. Ecgtheow’s son, who displayed no bravery,
for example, “had been despised for a long while, for the Geats saw no spark
of bravery in him” (75). The true hero of the middle ages managed to maintain
a balance between his personal glory and maintaining the good of his people. As
we see in later stories of this period, like the Arthur stories, this is a very
delicate balance. Beowulf became a folklore hero because he maintained this
balance well. He displayed personal heroism while at the same time keeping his
priorities towards the safety of his people. Beowulf’s first attack on the
monster Grendel displayed many qualities that were significant in a hero of that
time. First of all, Beowulf was not called upon to save the Danes from Grendel.
Instead, he came on his own accord, out of duty and principle. He took
responsibility upon himself in a situation that required none. The
individualistic society did not require that an person remain part of the tribe,
but rather encouraged them to seek adventure while doing good. Beowulf
recognized his physical strengths and he utilized them for personal gain and
glory and the good of the nation. Beowulf’s second battle with Grendel’s
mother is quite similar to the first. However, because Beowulf brought along a
sword as protection he is seemingly less pure and as he attempts to use the
sword it fails him. He is nearly beaten by the monster’s mother until he
wields the famous old sword of the giants which had magical power to save him.
While he is not as heroic in his second battle, Beowulf still displays many of
the virtues essential for heroism and even survival. He was required to use
ingenuity rather than strength in his battle and was required to go through an
extremely difficult process in order to get to the monster’s lair, almost like
an initiation. However, he came out of the whole ordeal wiser and greatly
rewarded. This first two battles also, surprisingly, represented what may have
been an influence of Christian values on the culture. While the Christianity is
not quite the same as we would expect in a more modern setting, it was just
beginning to gain some influence in Europe at the time of this story. This was a
period of a conversion of the paganistic beliefs into something that more
closely resembled Christianity. Many of the principles and ideals of the two
were combined to create a more familiar understanding view of Christianity for
the predominantly pagan population. The Christianity in the story is more
closely tied in with Moses’ Old Testament teachings of revenge and equality
than Christ’s teachings of peace, love and forgiveness. Grendel’s mother
attempts to avenge the death of her son while at the same time Beowulf is
attempting to avenge the death of all those slain by Grendel. The conflict
between good and evil is also a very Christian theme that runs throughout the
poem. There is a consistant attack of wickedness that can only be overcome by
purity and goodness. Beowulf is almost a Christ figure, not to the extent that
he is Christ like, merely that he overcomes, literally kills, wickedness.
Grendel, on the other hand, “shoulders God’s anger” (45). Whether the poem
is mainly pagan or Christian is up for debate, but both had influence on the
story as it was finally written. The religious views in Beowulf were obviously a
very important aspect of the story and to the people who were undergoing a very
significant change in their views of religion. The action provides us with a
slight understanding of the qualities respected in middle ages society. However,
the vast majority of the text deals with nonaction that gives us perhaps more
information about how the society worked. Because this story was originally
passed on as an oral tradition each part of the poem is extremely significant
because it had to be memorized. This adds significance to the genealogy, long
speeches and highly descriptive nature of ceremonial events in the text which
must have required hours of memorization. These all give a very detailed account
of the non warrior side of life that was also very important. The length of
these separate passages indicate what was significant to these people. The
action is sparsely distributed throughout the text to apply the principles
presented to us throughout the length of the poem. For example, in an important
exchange with the king, Beowulf presented “...a standard bearing the image of
a boar, together with a helmet towering in battle, a gray corslet, and a noble
sword;” (74). This description allows us a glimpse into the importance of gift
giving and of the importance of these gifts. Beowulf continues his speech to the
king by stating “Hrothgar, the wise king, gave me these trappings and
purposely asked me to tell you their history” (74). The detail tat is spent on
describing the gifts and their history is significant in understanding the
culture of these people. This particular passage displays the importance of
rituals and rights that individuals were required to undergo. The songs of the
scop recited at Hrothgar’s court also display the importance of using poetry
to glorify their heroes and remember their history. Since very little was
actually written, poetry was one of the only methods they had to preserve their
history. In this history they kept significance was placed on an entirely
different set of principles dealing with the importance of rituals and
significant heroic events. Beowulf’s final battle is perhaps his most
significant. He had learned much since the time of his youth and he approached
this battle with greater wisdom. This is the final test of his life and the last
challenge that he must endure. Beowulf is different at the time of this battle,
however. His other battles had been fought while he was still very young and
full of life. In his third battle he was an old man who had spent much of his
life serving his country. However, his usefulness for his people was dwindling
as old age began to overtake him. This battle demonstrated the final and
greatest sacrifice he could make. It was a battle that he surely knew would take
his life, but one he deemed worthy. Despite his incredible physical strength and
courage Beowulf was unable to win the battle within himself. Like everyone that
ever lived, Beowulf grew old, weak and tired. No matter how hard he tried he was
unable to escape death and he knew that it would not be long in coming for him.
He went into battle facing not only the dragon but also the destiny of his own
death. His death, rather than being a sign of weakness, becomes his final act of
glory. Beowulf, amazingly, continues to be studied and read extensively all over
the world even today, one thousand years after it was composed. Its study of
social conflict and heroism is what has made it become a timeless classic. The
issues it deals with not only pertained to life in the middle ages, but also
with issues that never die. It contains all of the elements of a modern
Hollywood film. The most important aspect of the poem, though, is the insight it
gives us into middle age life. This poem most likely began as a tribute to a
noble war hero, but it has become one of the greatest epics of all time.