Jamie Whitmarsh    
4th hour
9/19/06

Beowulf: Contrast and Contradictions

	It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. As much as that sounds like the beginning to a Charles Dickens tale, it is in fact, the perfect description of the Anglo-Saxon era, which lasted from approximately 450 A.D. to 1066 A.D. The Anglo-Saxons believed in both courtesy and courage, sentimentality and warmongering, generousity and stoicism. Though the Anglo-Saxons could be gentle and kind, they could also be violent and boastful. These mildly contradictory beliefs were held together in a delicate balance, eloquently portrayed in the anonymously written epic, Beowulf.
	In Anglo-Saxon times it was not uncommon for one to believe in fate's predetermination, while simultaneously boasting about various accomplishments. Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf brags of one thing after another. Yet if fate were predetermined, then those deeds would not be his. Beowulf repeatedly puts his faith in what God has decided, and yet, he takes credit for those very accomplishments. This brings in a conflict, between what man accomplishes and what is decided for him. The Anglo-Saxons appear to consistently support both beliefs, contradictory as they are.
	War was a constant factor in the early part of the Middle Ages, yet surprisingly, amidst all the fighting and bloodshed existed a quite generous and aesthetic people. The Anglo-Saxons appreciated beauty to extremes, and would gladly give away their best shield to their best friend. However, once tampered with, the Anglo-Saxons would not relent. One example in Beowulf is when Grendel begins laying waste to Herot. Beowulf, upon learning of the Danes' plight, sails over to Denmark to defeat Grendel. In his eagerness to fight Grendel, he is also putting his life on the line to protect the Danish folk, which one can consider to be the ultimate gift in generousity.
	Above all, Anglo-Saxons were taught to adhere to their senses of honor and courage. One could not insult a Geat or a Dane or a Scot greater than to accuse him of being dishonest, or of fleeing from a fight. For instance, in Beowulf, Unferth accuses Beowulf of not accomplishing what is said the he has accomplished. Beowulf, in turn, is angered, and tells the story as it really happened. Later, upon fighting the fire dragon, Wiglaf is deeply offended by Beowulf's men's failure to fight. He accuses them of cowardice and declares that they will not return to thier previous lives as they were. This is quite a big accusation, and one can see clearly that their culture is deeply rooted in these values.
	Although, the Anglo-Saxons may appear to be a melting pot of values and beliefs, they are not as complicated as they seem. A generally peaceful and loyal society, the Anglo-Saxons were also hard to stop when riled. Beowulf, through all of it's contradictions and conflicts, can hopefully provide readers with quite a clear understanding of Anglo-Saxon culture.