an with the Anglo-Saxon belief of allegiance to their lord and king in the act of providence for the king in return for protection. These ideals lead to the importance of one, during this time period, to be recognized by many. Another Anglo-Saxon ideal demonstrated in Beowulf is the love of glory as the ruling motive of every noble life. Love of glory, fame, and recognition was important to the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulfs reputation suggests, even prior to the Wrath of Grendel upon the Danes, that in Sweden, Beowulfs home place, he was of heroic status. Boasting allowed, before battle, a feeling of confidence. Throughout this epic, Beowulf displays examples of boasting. Upon arrival in Denmark, he shows his heroic characteristics as he boasts before Hrothgar. He first states, Hail, Hrothgar! Then continues on to ask permission to battle the horrendous guardian of crime saying Grant me, then, lord and protector of this noble place, a single request He also portrays heroism as he encounters Unferth, where explaining the swimming incident at Brecca allowed him to boast about his strength and physical abilities. After successfully battling the shepherd of evil, Grendel, who had tormented the Danes for a long twelve years, he decided to display Grendels arm in the rafters of the mead-hall as evidence of his victory and Grendels demise. The victory, for the proof, hanging high from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters arm, claw and shoulder and all. I guess it was just meant for Beowulf to win the battle. Fate, predetermined and inevitable necessity; that power which is thought to determined ones future, success or failure, is an often used aspect throughout this epic. Beowulf often alludes to the end. He states during the battle with Grendel that God will decide who will be given to deaths cold grip, symbolizing fate as the determining factor of who the victor will be at the conclusion of the battle. Beowu...
