The oldest English epic, Beowulf, although composed twelve centuries ago, uses
             many of the same ideals and values that exist in modern life and modern literature. These
             attributes are still important, but they do not occupy every aspect of life as in Anglo-
             Saxon England. Some of the ideals have little use today, such as fate, while other virtues,
             such as loyalty, are encouraged and highly respected traits. Other values, like fame, have
             taken on bad connotations in modern day and are not esteemed as they once were.
             Fate, the idea that destiny is predetermined and nothing can be done to change that,
             was highly esteemed in Beowulf's time, but is of little use today. Anglo-Saxon warriors
             knew that they only had two options when they entered battle; either they live to fight
             again, or they die honorably amounts their own. Either way was determined by a higher
             power. The sense of an uncontrollable death left the Anglo-Saxon people without respect
             for other lives, evident in the amount of fighting in Beowulf, and also an inner gloom,
             "evident in the somber tone of Beowulf," (from the text). Recently, philosophy has broken
             away from the more religious idea of destiny and moved toward a more logical aproach to
             life. Obviously, death is still inevitable, but logically, the future should be altered with
             each decision. Man has become too egocentric to believe someone, besides himself, can
             Loyalty, unlike fate, is still respected as it was in Beowulf's time, but can get
             overlooked in modern society. The idea to honor those close was the most Christian
             element of all the Anglo-Saxon traits. It original from the Biblical ideas of honoring God,
             honoring parents, honoring neighbors, et al. Fidelity between husband and wife is one
             sign of loyalty. Another is allegiance between countries. The Anglos felt a deep
             responsibility for fulfilling these duties. Fortunately, loyalty has held on throu...