Historical Analysis of Beowulf

Many of the values present in Beowulf could still be found in our society today, however in the poem they have a much different emphasis. Although I could do it in that way, that is not how I propose to rid him of his life. The fact that Beowulf thinks he could kill Grendel with a sword, but prefers a fair fight, commands respect and honor in this culture. Beowulf decided to fight him without a weapon not because he knew of this curse, but because his honor prevented him from arming himself against an unarmed opponent “I do not consider myself to be a fighter inferior in either strength or in experience to Grendel himself; so I shall not kill him with a sword. Beowulf is a hero in medieval culture not only in his actions, but because he seeks what is fair and just.

For the culture that created Beowulf, loyalty was very important to ones chief, family, and in battle. Wiglaf’s speech to his comrades shows how important it is to be loyal to ones leader “…To my way of thinking it is dishonourable for us to take or shields home without first killing the enemy and saving the king’s life. Let us share the battle with Beowulf. I am sure that this is not what he deserves for his past exploits, that all of us Geats he alone should suffer and die. To the people of the time, loyalty was not only the maker or breaker of ones character, but in killing ones family one would be looked down upon by god. Wiglaf reminds them that they were picked out of the army as Beowulf’s best soldiers, and to have any honor they had to stand by him in his time of greatest need.