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 a...