Beowulf LRJ #2

The main values of the Anglo-Saxons were that of strength and heroism. Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf is constantly trying to keep his name immortal and the author is always talking about Beowulfs great strength. "But a warrior of Hygelac's heard of Grendel's doings; he was the strongest of men alive in that day, mighty and noble"(Breeden). Strength and the act of showing strength is a strong value in Anglo-Saxon cutlture, because it makes it seem like everybody is way better if you have more strength than somebody else. The immortalization of a name is also a main value as well and the author of Beowulf makes it seem that both Hrothgar and Beowulf are striving to have their name be remembered. "So Hrothgar decided he would build a mead-hall, the greatest the world had ever seen, or even imagined. There he would share out to young and old alike all that God gave him (except for public lands and men's lives),"(Breeden).
Beowulfs strength is the most unrealistic part of this story. The ability to rip the arm off of a monster that is twices the size of you is just unbeleiveable. Beowulf focuses his confidence around his strength so if he didnt have enourmous strength he wouldnt have any confidence. These unrealistic showings of Beowulfs overpowering strength are in the story to beef it up a little. Its unrealistic, but it makes it even more great, and it makes Beowulf even more of an awesome hero, which the people wanted and that was how the author wanted Beowulf to be remembered.
My favorite qoutes are all the ones that have a descriptive effect on the story. "Each was hateful to the other alive. The horrible monster endured a wound: the bone-locks of his shoulder gave way, and his sinews sprang out."(Breeden). That quote shows the awesomeness of Beowulf and the full extent of his strength, which is quite unrealistic, but it adds such a descriptive peice to the battle."The fated fugitive's bloody tracksled into the water-monster's mere.There bloody water boiled,a horrible swirl of wavesmingled with hot gore."(Breeden). This quote has the same effect that the other quote has as well, it adds a nasty but descriptive edge to the story and makes it more intersesting.