The Anglo-Saxon Culture as Illustrated in Beowulf Beowulf is an epic poem, which takes place in ancient Denmark and Geatland and describes the adventures of Beowulf, a Geat hero. Through their heroes, epic poems usually describe the traditions and beliefs of a certain culture. An Anglo-Saxon author wrote Beowulf about the Danes and Geats. The Anglo-Saxons had similar beliefs to that of the Dane and Geats, so the poem gives us some idea of what the Anglo-Saxon culture was like. Throughout Beowulf, it is illustrated that women were thought to be virtually valueless; that Anglo-Saxons believed in paganism, and that there was great emphasis on valuables and weaponry. The Anglo-Saxon culture did not value women highly. Women were not recognized for the deeds they did. The Danish Beowulfs own mother was not even recognized for her part in his birth. His father Ecgtheow was given all the credit for Beowulfs birth: And he gave them more than his gloryconceived a son for the Danes, a new leader. (Beowulf, 1057). Kings usually would give away their daughters hand in marriage to a total stranger for a peace treaty with another nation. The daughter had no say in what was done with her, like Healfdenes daughter who was given away to Onela the Swedish king. In all aspects of life, women were not considered very valuable and were treated as objects rather than people. Hrothgar remembers Beowulf upon his arrival: His father was called Ecgtheow: Hrethel of the Geats gave him his only daughter for his home. Now has his hardly offspring come here, sought a fast friend.(1067). The daughters were usually forced to marry someone they did not know rather than being able to marry someone they loved. A woman was considered property, the ownership depending upon whether she was married or not. When married, she is her husbands, when unmarried, she is her fathers property. A man could beat his wife if she disobeyed him, and adultery by men was rarely...
