Beowulf
            
             Beowulf, which is a popular high school piece of literature, surprisingly has no author. Beowulf was written around the 700AD time period, and the author is thought to have been a monk or poet of some type. I think that the story of Beowulf was written with a hero that displayed the ideal characteristics that were esteemed by the people of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Those characteristics were strength, courage, and leadership.
             Beowulf, the hero in the story, was the strongest man in the world, as quoted in the story, "the strongest of the Geats, and greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world" (07/12/2004). This shows how physical strength was very much honored by the Anglo-Saxon culture. In the story, Beowulf comes to a village to kill a monster, Grendal, who has been attacking the city for years. After Beowulf killed Grendal, the story displays the physical strength of Beowulf.
             Beowulf was also fearless of all opponents whom he encountered on his journey. This is displayed in the story when Beowulf encounters Grendal and he decided to fight without any weapons, as quoted in the story "My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet where afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield, my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster" (09/24/2004). This shows how the Anglo-Saxon culture honored courage.
             The last characteristic that Beowulf displays was leadership. He was a wise leader of the city for fifty years. He wisely cares for his people and is willing to defend his land for his people. He was willing to risk his life for the safety of his own people. Even as and old man he fights the dragon, as quoted in the story "I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides" (08/20/2004). This shows the leadership that Beowulf had and why the people looked up to ...