Beginning of Essay
Ideals of conduct that are most respected by a particular society are often conveyed through the qualities of the heroic character in an epic poem. Beowulf exemplifies many of the characteristics admired by the Anglo-Saxon culture. Four virtues demonstr ....

Middle of Essay
.... his people before himself. Representing good, this great man uses his strength to slay the horrible demon of evil. In his argument with Unferth he is able to turn his 'loss' in a swimming competition into a tale in which he not only swims for hours wearing a 'mail shirt' and carrying a 'naked sword' but also kills several sea monsters. Although he would seem a braggart in our culture this display, quite the opposite of modesty, was respected and even admired by the Anglo-Saxons. His intelligence becomes evident when he opts to enter his battle with Grendel sans any weapons. His wit is obvious when he realizes that 'the monster's scorn for men is ....